http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2013/60The Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2013enPOLICEStatute Law Database2026-03-02Expert Participation2014-04-01 These Regulations make provision for the procedures for dealing with cases where an act or omission of a constable of the Police Service of Scotland (“the Police Service”) below the rank of assistant chief constable is alleged to amount to misconduct. 2013 No. 60Police<CommentaryRef Ref="key-1f7b9f765277cbe6260e202430c81a11"/>The Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2013Made21st February 2013Laid before Parliament25th February 2013Coming into force1st April 2013

The Scottish Ministers make the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 48 and 125(1) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 and all other powers enabling them to do so.

In accordance with section 54(2) of that Act, they have consulted and shared a draft of the Regulations with the persons mentioned in section 54(2)(a) and have considered any representations made. PART 1GeneralCitation and commencement1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Interpretation2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Application3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Designation of deputy chief constable4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Meaning of misconduct5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Suspension6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Records7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alleged offences8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PART 2Misconduct investigationsPreliminary investigation procedures9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cases referred to deputy chief constable10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Investigating officer’s report11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dismissal of allegations12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Documents to be supplied to the constable13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Response to misconduct form14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PART 3Misconduct hearingsArrangement of misconduct hearing15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Variation of constable’s decision as to legal representation16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Representation at misconduct hearing17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Misconduct hearing: preliminary procedure18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Procedure at misconduct hearing19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Written statements20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Adjournments21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hearing in the constable’s absence22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Determination on allegation of misconduct23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Disposals24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Limitations on disposals25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PART 4AppealsAppeal to the chief constable26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Transcript of the hearing27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Determination of appeal28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PART 5Revocations, savings and transitional provisionsRevocations, savings and transitional provisions29Schedule 2 contains revocations, savings and transitional provisions.KENNY MACASKILLA member of the Scottish Government
St Andrew’s House,Edinburgh
21st February 2013 SCHEDULE 1Conduct constituting misconductRegulation 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SCHEDULE 2Revocations, savings and transitional provisionsRegulation 29Interpretation1In this Schedule—“investigating officer” has the meaning given by regulation 3 of the 1996 Regulations as modified by paragraph10(2)(c); and“the 1996 Regulations” means the Police (Conduct) (Scotland) Regulations 1996.Revocation, savings and modification of the 1996 Regulations21Subject to the sub-paragraphs(2) and (3) and paragraph3, the 1996 Regulations are revoked.2Sub-paragraph(1) does not apply to regulation25 (revocations, savings and transitional provisions) of, and Schedule2 (revocations) to, the 1996 Regulations.3In regulation25(2) of the 1996 Regulations, for “is below the rank of assistant chief constable” substitute “was a constable of a police force below the rank of assistant chief constable”.31Despite their revocation by paragraph 2, the 1996 Regulations continue to have effect on and after 1st April 2013 as they had effect immediately before that date, subject to the modifications set out in paragraph 10, where—aa report, allegation or complaint to which those Regulations applied before 1st April 2013 was received by a police force before that date;bany proceedings under the 1996 Regulations in relation to that report, allegation or complaint have not been concluded before 1st April 2013; andcthe individual in respect of whom that report, allegation or complaint was made is a transferred constable.2For the purpose of sub-paragraph (1)(b), in cases where no misconduct hearing has taken or is to take place, proceedings in relation to a report, allegation or complaint are to be treated as having been concluded—ain relation to allegations of misconduct of a minor or trivial nature dealt with under or by virtue of regulation 5(2) and (3) of the 1996 Regulations, when a warning was given;bwhen a decision was taken under regulation 6(3) of those Regulations that the individual in relation to whom the report, allegation or complaint was made was not to be required to appear before a misconduct hearing; orcwhen a decision was taken under regulation 7A of those Regulations that an allegation of misconduct was not to be considered at a misconduct hearing.3For the purpose of sub-paragraph (1)(b), in cases where a misconduct hearing has taken place, proceedings in relation to a report, allegation or complaint are to be treated as having been concluded—awhere a finding was made that the conduct of the individual in relation to whom the report, allegation or complaint was made does not amount to misconduct, on the date the misconduct form was sent in accordance with regulation 17(4) of the 1996 Regulations; orbwhere a finding of misconduct and a disposal made were recorded in accordance with regulation 17(3) of those Regulations—iunless regulation 20(8) of those Regulations applies, on the date on which the period specified in regulation 20(6) of those Regulations for sending a notice of appeal has expired; oriiwhere a notice of appeal was sent within that period or is accepted late in accordance with regulation 20(8) of those Regulations, on the date on which the document recording the decision was sent under regulation 21(7) of those Regulations.4The reference in paragraph (3)(b) to a finding of misconduct and disposal includes a reference to any admission and disposal made in the circumstances described in regulation 13(6) of the 1996 Regulations.Transitional provisions4Any proceedings commenced under the 1996 Regulations in relation to a case in relation to which those Regulations continue to have effect by virtue of paragraph 3—amay be continued under those Regulations as modified by paragraph 10; andbwhere continued, are to be treated as proceedings under those Regulations as so modified.5In relation to a case in relation to which the 1996 Regulations continue to have effect by virtue of paragraph 3—aanything done before 1st April 2013 under those Regulations by or in relation to a chief constable of a police force is to be treated, on and after that date, as having been done by or in relation to the chief constable of the Police Service; andbanything done before 1st April 2013 under those Regulations by or in relation to an assistant chief constable of a police force (including anything done by or in relation to two or more assistant chief constables acting jointly under regulation 23 of those Regulations) is to be treated, on and after that date, as having been done by or in relation to the deputy chief constable.61Sub-paragraph (2) applies to an individual who—abefore 1st April 2013, was appointed under regulation 5(4) of the 1996 Regulations as an investigating officer in relation to a case in relation to which those Regulations continue to have effect by virtue of paragraph 3; andbis—ia transferred constable; oriiengaged in service as a constable of the Police Service by virtue of paragraph 8(2) of schedule 5 to the Act.2An individual to whom this sub-paragraph applies is to continue to be the investigating officer in relation to the case in relation to which that individual’s appointment was made.3Sub-paragraphs (4) and (5) apply where an individual appointed before 1st April 2013 to act as the investigating officer in relation to a case in relation to which the 1996 Regulations continue to have effect by virtue of paragraph 3 is not—aa transferred constable; orbengaged in service as a constable of the Police Service by virtue of paragraph 8(2) of schedule 5 to the Act.4Where this paragraph applies, the deputy chief constable must appoint a constable of at least the rank of inspector and of at least the rank of the constable under investigation to replace as investigating officer the individual who has not transferred to the Police Service.5Anything done before 1st April 2013 by or in relation to an investigating officer who has not transferred to the Police Service is, on and after that date, to be treated as having been done by or in relation to the constable appointed to replace that investigating officer.71Sub-paragraph (2) applies to an individual who—abefore 1st April 2013, was appointed to act as a chairman of a misconduct hearing in relation to a case in relation to which the 1996 Regulations continue to have effect by virtue of paragraph 3; andbis—ia transferred constable; oriiengaged in service as a constable of the Police Service by virtue of paragraph 8(2) of schedule 5 to the Act2An individual to whom this sub-paragraph applies is to continue to act as the chairman of the misconduct hearing in relation to which that person’s appointment was made.3Sub-paragraphs (4) and (5) apply where an individual appointed before 1st April 2013 to act as the chairman of a misconduct hearing in relation to a case in relation to which the 1996 Regulations continue to have effect by virtue of paragraph 3 is not—aa transferred constable; orbengaged in service as a constable of the Police Service by virtue of paragraph 8(2) of schedule 5 to the Act.4Where this paragraph applies, the deputy chief constable must appoint a constable of at least the rank of superintendent to replace as chairman the individual who has not transferred to the Police Service.5Anything done before 1st April 2013 by or in relation to a chairman who has not transferred to the Police Service is to be treated, on and after that date, as having been done by or in relation to the constable appointed to replace that chairman.81This paragraph applies to—aa decision to dismiss an individual from a police force made under regulation 18(1)(a) of the 1996 Regulations where—ithat decision was made before 1st April 2013;iithe individual in relation to whom the decision was made has not been dismissed before 1st April 2013; andiiithat individual is a transferred constable; andba requirement to resign from a police force by a specified date made under regulation 18(1)(b) of the 1996 Regulations where—ithat requirement was made before 1st April 2013;iithe individual in respect of whom the requirement was made has not, in accordance with that requirement, resigned before 1st April 2013; andiiithat individual is a transferred constable.2Where this paragraph applies—aa transferred constable who was to be dismissed from a police force is, on and after 1st April 2013, to be dismissed from the Police Service; andba requirement to resign from a police force by a specified date is, on and after 1st April 2013, to be treated as a requirement to resign from the Police Service by that specified date.3Where a transferred constable has not resigned by the date specified in a requirement to which this paragraph applies made by the chairman of the misconduct hearing or, as the case may be, the chief constable, under regulation 18(1)(b) of the 1996 Regulations, the effect of that decision is to dismiss the constable from the Police Service on the specified date.91Sub-paragraph (2) applies to a transferred constable who, immediately before 1st April 2013, is suspended from duty under regulation 22 of the 1996 Regulations.2A transferred constable to whom this sub-paragraph applies is to continue, on and after 1st April 2013, to be suspended from duty as a constable and may, on and after that date, be dealt with under that regulation as modified by this Schedule.Modifications101The 1996 Regulations are modified as follows.2In regulation 3—aomit the definition of “the assistant chief constable”;bin the definition of “complainer”, for “a constable” substitute “a transferred constable”;cfor the definition of “investigating officer” substitute—“investigating officer” means—a transferred constable appointed under regulation 5(4) as it had effect immediately before 1st April 2013; ora constable of the Police Service appointed under that regulation as it has effect on and after that date;;din the definition of “the constable”, for “constable of a police force” substitute “transferred constable”;eomit the definition of “constable of a police force”;fin the definition of “representative”, for “a police force” substitute “the Police Service”; andgin the appropriate places, insert—“constable of the Police Service” means an individual holding the office of constable who is serving as a constable of the Police Service, but does not include a special constable;;“deputy chief constable” means the deputy chief constable of the Police Service designated under regulation 4 of the Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2013;;“Police Service” means the Police Service of Scotland;; and“transferred constable” means an individual who—before 1st April 2013 was serving as a constable of a police force maintained immediately before that date under the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (including any such individual who was, immediately before that date, engaged on relevant service within the meaning given by section 38A(1) of that Act);is transferred—to serve as a constable of the Police Service under paragraph 6 of schedule 5 to the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012; orto be engaged in service outwith the Police Service by virtue of paragraph 8(4) of that schedule; andis not a special constable..3In regulation 4, for “constable”, in each place it occurs, substitute “transferred constable”.4In regulation 5—ain paragraph (1)—ifor “constable of the police force concerned” substitute “transferred constable”; andiiin sub-paragraph (a), for “another constable of the same force” substitute “a constable of the Police Service”;bin paragraphs (2)(b)(i) and (3)(a), for “same force”, in both places, substitute “Police Service”;cin paragraph (5)(a)—ifor “police force concerned” substitute “Police Service”; andiiomit the words from “or” to the end of paragraph (5)(a); anddin paragraph (6)—ifor “any constable” substitute “a constable of the Police Service”; andiiin sub-paragraph (b), for “the police force concerned” substitute “the Police Service”.5In regulation 6(6), for “same force” substitute “Police Service”.6In regulation 7(1), for “a constable of a police force” substitute “a transferred constable”.7In regulation 10, omit paragraph (3).8In regulation 12—ain paragraph (1), after “a constable” insert “of the Police Service”;bin paragraph (2), for “a police force” substitute “the Police Service”; andcin paragraph (3), for “member of a police force” substitute “constable of the Police Service or a member of the police staff within the meaning given by section 99(1) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012”.9In regulation 13—ain paragraph (1)—ifor the first “a constable” substitute “a transferred constable”; andiiafter the second “a constable” insert “of the Police Service”;bfor paragraph (2)(a) substitute—aa constable of the Police Service; and; andcin paragraph (3), after “constables” insert “of the Police Service”.10In regulation 18(1)(a) and (b), (2)(b) and (3), for “force”, in each place it occurs, substitute “Police Service”.11In regulation 19(4), for “force”, substitute “Police Service”.12In regulation 20, omit paragraph (15).13In regulation 21—ain paragraph (4)(b), for “a police force” substitute “the Police Service”; andbin paragraph (9)(a), for “force”, in both places, substitute “Police Service”.14In regulation 22—ain paragraph (1)—ifor “a constable” substitute “a transferred constable”; andiifor “force” substitute “Police Service”; andbin paragraph (2)(b), for “force”, in both places, substitute “Police Service”.15In regulation 24—ain paragraph (1), omit from the first “at” to the second “headquarters”; andbin sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of that paragraph—ifor “force”, in both places, substitute “Police Service”; andiiomit the words “or, as the case may be, of the division concerned,”, in both places.16In regulations 5, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 22 and 24, for “assistant chief constable”, in each place it occurs, substitute “deputy chief constable”.17In regulations 20 and 21 after “the chief constable”, in each place it occurs, insert “of the Police Service”.18In regulations 20, 21 and 24 after “The Chief Constable,” in each place it occurs, insert “of the Police Service”.Revocation11The Police (Conduct) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 are revoked. EXPLANATORY NOTE(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make provision for the procedures for dealing with cases where an act or omission of a constable of the Police Service of Scotland (“the Police Service”) below the rank of assistant chief constable is alleged to amount to misconduct.

Part 1 makes general provision. Regulations 1 to 3 make provision about the commencement, interpretation and application of the Regulations. Regulation 4 requires the chief constable of the Police Service to designate a deputy chief constable (“the deputy chief constable”) to carry out functions under the Regulations. Regulation 5 and Schedule 1 describe the types of acts and omissions of a constable which amount to misconduct. Regulation 6 provides for a power to suspend a constable subject to a criminal or misconduct allegation and the circumstances in which a suspension may be terminated. Regulation 7 requires the deputy chief constable to maintain records of complaints against constables and of misconduct proceedings. Regulation 8 details powers to suspend or postpone proceedings under these Regulations in cases where there is an inference that a constable may have committed a criminal offence and permits the resumption of those proceedings where any criminal process is concluded.

Part 2 sets out the preliminary procedures for determining whether allegations of misconduct are to proceed to a misconduct hearing or are to be dealt with without recourse to such proceedings. Regulation 9 gives the deputy chief constable overall responsibility for misconduct matters and in particular requires that individual to establish and maintain procedures for the preliminary consideration of misconduct allegations and for the referral of those allegations, if appropriate, to formal investigation and adjudication processes.

Regulation 10 permits the deputy chief constable to deal personally with cases of minor or trivial misconduct and to appoint a constable of the Police Service to carry out a formal investigation in more serious cases. A constable carrying out such an investigation must, in accordance with regulation 11, report the findings of that investigation to the deputy chief constable. The deputy chief constable is empowered to require a constable under investigation to attend a misconduct hearing.

Regulation 12 allows the deputy chief constable to direct, if new information arises, that any allegation of misconduct previously referred to a misconduct hearing is not to be considered at that hearing.

Regulations 13 and 14 make provision about the preliminary steps to be taken before a misconduct hearing is arranged, including requirements as to the provision of information to the constable under investigation.

Part 3 establishes the procedures in relation to misconduct hearings. Regulation 15 places the general duty for arranging those hearings on the deputy chief constable and makes provision about the notification of the constable and witnesses. Regulation 16 allows the constable to vary a previous election not to be legally represented at a misconduct hearing. Regulation 17 makes provision about representation more generally, including provision about the appointment of an individual to present the case against the constable.

Regulation 18 requires the deputy chief constable to appoint a chairing constable for every misconduct hearing. That chairing constable is in turn permitted to appoint constables and, in certain cases, an advocate or solicitor to assist.

Regulations 19 to 22 make provision about the procedure to be followed at a misconduct hearing, including provision about the admission of written statements in lieu of oral evidence, adjournments, and the carrying on of proceedings in the absence of the constable being investigated.

Regulation 23 requires the chairing constable to determine any allegation being considered at the misconduct hearing. Regulations 24 and 25 specify the disposals available to the chairing constable in cases where the constable has either been found by the chairing constable to be guilty of misconduct or has admitted misconduct.

Part 4 makes provision about the appeal process in relation to findings of misconduct or disposals (or both). Regulations 26 to 28 require an appeal to be made to and determined by the chief constable of the Police Service in accordance with the procedures set out in those regulations.

Part 5 and Schedule 2 revoke the Police (Conduct) (Scotland) Regulations 1996 with savings and transitional modifications to deal with proceedings under those Regulations in relation to constables of police forces who are transferred to the Police Service which are not concluded on the date these Regulations come into force.

 2012 asp 8. S.I. 1996/1642, amended by S.I. 1997/1072 and S.S.I. 2004/257. S.I. 1999/1072. Sch. 2 para. 10 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 11 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Reg. 29 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 6 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 7 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 8 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 9 in force at 1.4.2013, see reg. 1Sch. 2 para. 10(15)(b)(ii) substituted (18.5.2013) by The Police Service of Scotland (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/125), regs. 1, 5(2)Regulations revoked (except reg. 29, Sch. 2) (1.4.2014) by The Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2014 (S.S.I. 2014/68), regs. 1, 4(1)(4) (with regs. 3, 4(2)(3))