Port of Tilbury-Police Constable

[Fedster + 1,307]

Report says urgent guidance is needed.

The police misconduct system needs to be more consistent.

A report, led by police and crime commissioners, says the system is operating reasonably effectively and Legally Qualified Chairs (LQCs) are settling into their role. 

But urgent guidance is needed from the APCC and the NPCC to encourage more consistency in the application of the misconduct process in relation to the role of the chairman, it says.

It also calls for the Home Office to consider developing regulations, and detailed guidance, setting out the underlying features of the LQC role in relation to the new complaints and conduct regime, which will soon be implemented.

The report also recommends PCCs, chiefs, the Home Office and Information Commissioners Office work together to provide consistency and clarity about LQCs’ data protection responsibilities.

LQCs are also expected to work with the APCC to ensure more transparency is introduced at misconduct hearings.

Julia Mulligan, APCC national lead for Transparency & Integrity, said: “Whilst the misconduct hearing process has run very well under LQCs, 15 months after their implementation, it is clear that a collective effort is required if we are continue to improve the misconduct hearing process, for everyone involved.

“It is vital LQCs work with the APCC and others to instil and embed as much transparency into misconduct hearings as possible and proportionate, with a clear rationale for their approach with the media and public at the outset of each hearing.”

Dame Vera Baird QC, APCC deputy lead for Transparency & Integrity, said: “It is hoped that this review leads to the changes that all those involved in the system agree are necessary, from short-term guidance on the selection process of LQCs to more detail set out in regulations about the roles and responsibilities of all parties, including clarity on issues such as data protection.

“We hope the APCC and LQCs can continue to work together to ensure the police misconduct process is overseen and implemented thoroughly and fairly.”

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[MerseyLLB 8,426]

I read alot of words there and walked away none the wiser as to what is actually being asked for.

[SimonT + 1,185]

I believe that's a key role for a pcc