16.—(1) This regulation applies to the procedure to be followed at the first stage meeting.
(2) The meeting must be conducted by the line manager.
(3) A human resources professional or an MDP officer may attend the meeting to advise the line manager on the proceedings.
(4) Any other person specified in the notice referred to in regulation 15(1) may attend the meeting if the officer concerned consents.
(5) The line manager must—
(a)explain to the officer concerned the reasons why the line manager considers that the performance or attendance of the officer is unsatisfactory,
(b)provide the officer with an opportunity to make representations in response, and
(c)provide the police friend (if the officer has one) with an opportunity to address the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(3)(a).
(6) If, after considering such representations (if any) and address (if any), the line manager finds that the performance or attendance of the officer concerned has been unsatisfactory, the line manager must—
(a)inform the officer in what respect the officer’s performance or attendance is considered unsatisfactory,
(b)inform the officer of the improvement that is required in performance or attendance,
(c)inform the officer that, if a sufficient improvement is not made within such reasonable period as the line manager specifies (being a period not exceeding 12 months), the officer may be required to attend a second stage meeting in accordance with regulation 21,
(d)inform the officer that the officer will receive a written improvement notice, and
(e)inform the officer that if sufficient improvement is not maintained during any part of the validity period of the notice remaining after the expiry of the period specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (c), the officer may be required to attend a second stage meeting in accordance with regulation 21.
(7) The line manager may, if the line manager considers it appropriate, recommend that the officer concerned seek assistance in relation to any matter affecting the officer’s health or welfare.
(8) The line manager may postpone or adjourn the meeting to a specified time, or date and time, if it appears to the line manager necessary or expedient to do so.