Home Affairs - First Report

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Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 16 December 1997.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

Terms of Reference

REPORT

A: INTRODUCTION

The inquiry
Existing disciplinary and complaints procedures
Current standards of behaviour in the police


B: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM

The system for dealing with poor performance
Does the present system enable misconduct to be identified and dealt with?
The evidence from individual cases
The general statistical evidence
The evidence from civil actions
The opinions of relevant experts
Conclusions


C: THE NEED FOR INDEPENDENCE

The issue of independence
The early stages of a complaint or discipline investigation
The recording of a complaint
Disposal of complaints without full investigation
Referral of matters to the supervisory body
The investigation of a complaint
The quality of existing investigations
Assessment of the existing process and public confidence
Obstacles to independent investigation
Steps towards independence
Independence and the Police Complaints Authority
Action following an investigation
The decision to bring criminal or disciplinary charges
The power to direct that a disciplinary charge be brought
The composition of boards at disciplinary hearings


D: LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR ACCUSED OFFICERS

General observations
The right to silence
Right to legal representation
The standard of proof
Double jeopardy
A new offence of 'false / malicious complaint'


E: DELAYS IN THE PROCESS

Administrative delays
Delays due to sickness
The problem
Possible remedies
Completion of other proceedings and 'fast tracking'


F: OTHER MATTERS

Openness
The PCA's budget


CONCLUSION

List of Conclusions and Recommendations


Annex  Note by the Metropolitan Police (example of officer subject to disciplinary proceedings retiring due to ill health)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE RELATING TO THE REPORT

LIST OF WITNESSES

LIST OF APPENDICES TO THE MINUTES OF EVIDENCE

LIST OF UNPRINTED MEMORANDA

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Prepared 15 January 1998