Part 2B

Investigation of concerns raised by whistle-blowers

Power to investigate concerns raised by whistle-blowers
29D
1
The
Director General
may investigate any concern raised by a whistle-blower of which
the Director General
becomes aware (whether because the whistle-blower has contacted the
Director General
or for any other reason) but only if the whistle-blower informs the
Director General
, before the beginning of the investigation, that he or she consents to an investigation taking place.
2
In deciding whether to investigate, the
Director General
must take into account the public interest.
3
For the purposes of this Part, a person is a “whistle-blower” if—
a
the person is, or was at any time, under the direction and control of a chief officer of police,
b
the person raises a concern that is about a police force or a person serving with the police,
c
the matter to which the concern relates is not—
i
about the conditions of service of persons serving with the police, or
ii
a matter that is, or could be, the subject of a complaint by the person under Part 2, and
d
at the time the
Director General
first becomes aware of the concern, the matter to which it relates is not—
i
under investigation under the direction of the
Director General
in accordance with paragraph 18 of Schedule 3,
ii
under investigation by the
Director General
in accordance with paragraph 19 of that Schedule,
iii
being dealt with as a complaint under section 29A under regulations under section 29C (regulations about super-complaints), or
iv
under investigation under this Part.
4
Subsection (1) is subject to section 29F (which deals with the position where the concern is a conduct matter for the purposes of Part 2) and to section 29G (which deals with the position where the concern is a DSI matter for the purposes of that Part).
5
Schedule 3A (which makes provision about the procedure
etc
where the
Director General
decides to investigate under subsection (1)) has effect.
Pt. 2B inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 28(1), 183(1)(5)(e)
Words in s. 29D substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 42(2); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)
Words in s. 29D(1) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 42(3); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)