Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025

3 Duty of candour

(1) The 2012 Act is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).

(2) In section 10(1) (constable’s declaration), after “fairness,” insert “candour,”.

(3) In section 32 (policing principles)—

(a) the word “and” following paragraph (a) is repealed,

(b) after paragraph (b), insert “, and

(c) that the Police Service should be candid and co-operative in proceedings, including all investigations.”.

(4) In schedule 1 of the Police Service of Scotland (Senior Officers) (Conduct) Regulations 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/62) (standards of professional behaviour), after the paragraph headed “Honesty and integrity”, insert—

“Candour

Constables act with candour and are open and truthful in their dealings, without favour to their own interests or the interests of the Police Service subject, in particular, to the reasonable assertion of the privilege against self-incrimination.

Constables attend interviews and assist and participate in proceedings (including all investigations) openly, promptly and professionally, in line with the expectations of a police constable.”.

(5) In schedule 1 of the Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2014 (S.S.I. 2014/68) (standards of professional behaviour), after the paragraph headed “Honesty and integrity”, insert—

“Candour

Constables act with candour and are open and truthful in their dealings, without favour to their own interests or the interests of the Police Service subject, in particular, to the reasonable assertion of the privilege against self-incrimination.

Constables attend interviews and assist and participate in proceedings (including all investigations) openly, promptly and professionally, in line with the expectations of a police constable.”.