New rules to sack officers guilty of gross misconduct

Under new rules that will come into force later this month, police officers found guilty of gross misconduct will be sacked unless there are exceptional circumstances.

As the government seeks to reform policing and drive up standards, it has made changes to the law that will “will strengthen the ability of police chiefs to clean out their forces of officers unfit to serve by setting clear expectations about what should happen to those guilty of the most serious behaviour.”

Until now, a police officer found guilty of gross misconduct could escape dismissal. The Home Office said that last year over 500 officers were dismissed but that 56 remain in policing despite being guilty of gross misconduct.

Responding to the change in rules that come into effect on 28 May, the Policing Minister said: “it is vital that only those fit to wear the uniform are serving the public.”

“We cannot let the majority of officers, who are brave and committed to keeping us safe, be tarnished by the few who commit serious criminality or gross misconduct. They, and the public, deserve certainty that those who are unfit to serve will be dismissed.”

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson.

The new legislation laid in Parliament in early May also creates a presumption of accelerated hearings for former officers, ensuring swifter proceedings for those who resign or retire before they face a misconduct hearing. Former officers who would have been dismissed had they still been serving will continue to be barred from future service.

Unsatisfactory performance procedures are also being streamlined so that underperforming officers are taken through the process more quickly. Serious criminal offences will also automatically amount to gross misconduct under these new measures.

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