CNP Federation has cautiously welcomed the Home Office's announcement of an end-to-end review into the police misconduct system, chaired by Dame Lynne Owens and Jason Beer KC.
For years, Federations have raised concerns over a misconduct process that too often leaves officers suspended or restricted from duty for months, sometimes years, before being cleared of any wrongdoing. None of us wants to serve alongside someone who isn’t fit to wear the uniform, but leaving colleagues in limbo takes its toll on officers' mental health, careers and families.
We have long argued that the current thresholds and procedures need fundamental reform, not tinkering at the edges. A system that keeps innocent officers away from frontline policing for excessive periods serves neither the public nor the police. Equally, we recognise that victims deserve swifter resolution, and a fairer, faster process benefits everyone.
We are pleased this review will examine the whole and will report to the Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor within six months. We urge the review team to engage directly with officers who have experienced these delays firsthand, and we will make that case robustly.
Reform is long overdue, and we hope this marks the beginning of real change.