17.—(1) Where the whole or part of the investigation of a complaint has been suspended until the conclusion of criminal proceedings, and the complainant has failed to indicate after the conclusion of those proceedings that he wishes the investigation to start or be resumed, the Commission or, as the case may be, appropriate authority shall take the steps set out in paragraph (2).
(2) The Commission or appropriate authority shall take all reasonable steps to contact the complainant to ascertain whether he wants the investigation to start or be resumed as the case may be.
(3) If the complainant indicates that he does wish the investigation to start or be resumed, the Commission or appropriate authority shall start or resume the investigation as the case may be.
(4) If the complainant indicates that he does not want the investigation to start or be resumed, or if he fails to reply within 21 days to a letter sent to him by the Commission or appropriate authority, the Commission or appropriate authority as the case may be shall determine whether it is in the public interest for the complaint to be treated as a recordable conduct matter.
(5) If the Commission or appropriate authority determines that it is not in the public interest for the complaint to be treated as a recordable conduct matter, the provisions of Part 2 of the 2002 Act shall cease to apply to the complaint.
(6) If the Commission or appropriate authority determines that it is in the public interest for the complaint to be treated as a recordable conduct matter, the provisions of Part 2 of Schedule 3 to the 2002 Act shall apply to the matter.
(7) The Commission or appropriate authority shall notify the person complained against if paragraph (5) or (6) applies.
(8) But nothing in paragraph (7) shall require the Commission or appropriate authority to make a notification if it is of the opinion that that might prejudice any criminal investigation or pending proceedings or would be contrary to the public interest.