The Police (Performance) Regulations 2020

Outcomes

46.—(1) If the panel make a finding that, in a case falling within regulation 30(2) or (4), the performance or attendance of the officer concerned has been unsatisfactory they may, subject to paragraph (4), order—

(a) one of the outcomes mentioned in paragraph (3)(a), (c) or (f), or

(b) where the panel are satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which justify it, the outcome mentioned in paragraph (3)(d).

(2) If the panel make a finding that, in a case falling within regulation 32, the performance of the officer concerned constitutes gross incompetence, they may, subject to paragraph (4), order one of the outcomes mentioned in paragraph (3)(b), (c), (e) or (f).

(3) The outcomes are—

(a) dismissal of the officer concerned with notice, the period of the notice to be decided by the panel, subject to a minimum period of 28 days;

(b) dismissal of the officer concerned with immediate effect;

(c) reduction in rank of the officer concerned with immediate effect;

(d) an extension of the period of the final written improvement notice issued to the officer concerned;

(e) the issue to the officer concerned of a final written improvement notice;

(f) redeployment of the officer concerned to alternative duties (which may involve a reduction of rank) within the police force concerned.

(4) The panel may not order a reduction in rank with immediate effect where–

(a) the officer is a special constable, or

(b) the third stage meeting relates to the attendance of the officer.

(5) In considering whether to order any of the outcomes mentioned in paragraph (3), the panel—

(a) must have regard to the record of police service of the officer concerned as shown on the officer’s personal record;

(b) may receive evidence from any witness whose evidence would, in their opinion, assist their consideration; and

(c) must give—

(i) the officer, the officer’s police friend or, in a case falling within regulation 32, the officer’s relevant lawyer, and

(ii) the appropriate authority,

an opportunity to make oral or written representations before making a decision.

(6) If the panel make a finding, in a case falling within regulation 32, of unsatisfactory performance, they must order the issue to the officer concerned of a written improvement notice.

(7) A written improvement notice or a final written improvement notice issued under this regulation must—

(a) state in what respect the performance or attendance of the officer concerned (as the case may be) is considered unsatisfactory or the performance, grossly incompetent;

(b) state the improvement that is required in performance or attendance;

(c) state that, if a sufficient improvement is not made within such reasonable period as the panel specifies (being a period not exceeding 12 months), the officer may be required to attend a second stage meeting (in the case of a written improvement notice) or another third stage meeting (in the case of a final written improvement notice) and state the date with which this period ends;

(d) state that it is valid for a period of 12 months beginning with the date of the notice;

(e) state that, if the sufficient improvement referred to in sub-paragraph (c) is not maintained during any part of the validity period 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 the case of a written improvement notice) or another third stage meeting (in the case of a final written improvement notice; and

(f) be signed and dated by the panel chair.

(8) Where the panel orders an extension of the period relating to the final written improvement notice—

(a) the notice must be amended—

(i) to state that if the officer concerned does not make a sufficient improvement within such reasonable period as the panel specifies (being a period not exceeding 12 months) the officer may be required to attend another third stage meeting, and

(ii) to state the date with which this period ends;

(b) the panel may vary any of the other matters recorded in the notice;

(c) the notice is valid for a further period of 12 months.