The Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020

Timeliness of investigation

19.—(1) Where an investigation is not completed within a relevant period, the appropriate authority must, subject to paragraph (3), provide as soon as practicable the following information in writing to the local policing body—

(a) the date on which the allegation came to the attention of the appropriate authority;

(b) the date on which notice was given under regulation 17(1);

(c) the progress of the investigation;

(d) an estimate of when—

(i) the investigation will be concluded, and

(ii) a report will be submitted under regulation 21;

(e) the reason for the length of time taken by the investigation, and

(f) a summary of planned steps to progress the investigation and bring it to a conclusion.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation, each of the following is a “relevant period”—

(a) the first relevant period is the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the allegation first came to the attention of the appropriate authority;

(b) each subsequent relevant period is the period of 6 months beginning with the day after the end of the previous relevant period.

(3) The requirement to provide information under paragraph (1) does not apply in a case where it appears to the appropriate authority that to do so might prejudice the investigation or any other investigation (including a criminal investigation).

(4) Subject to the harm test, a copy of the information provided under paragraph (1) or (2) must be sent to the officer concerned.