2025 No. 558
POLICE, ENGLAND AND WALES
The Police (Conduct, Performance and Complaints and Misconduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
Made
6th May 2025
Laid before Parliament
7th May 2025
Coming into force
28th May 2025
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 50(1), (2)(c), (e) and (f), (3), (3A), (4) and (7), 51(1), (2)(ba) and (c), (2A), (2B), (3A) and (4) and 85(3) of the Police Act 1996, section 23(1) and (2) of the Police Reform Act 2002 and section 29(7) of the Policing and Crime Act 2017.
In accordance with sections 50(2ZC) and 51(2ZD) of the Police Act 1996, and in so far as these Regulations relate to matters specified in those sections, the text of these Regulations has been approved by the College of Policing.
In accordance with section 63(3)(a) of the Police Act 1996, the Secretary of State has supplied the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales with a draft of these Regulations and has taken into consideration the representations made by that Board before making these Regulations.
In accordance with section 24 of the Police Reform Act 2002, the Secretary of State has consulted with the Office, the Director General, such persons as appear to the Secretary of State to represent the views of police and crime commissioners, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, the Common Council, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and such other persons as the Secretary of State thinks fit.
(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Police (Conduct, Performance and Complaints and Misconduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 and come into force on 28th May 2025.
(2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales.
3 Amendment to regulation 12 (probationary service)
In regulation 12, for paragraph (1) substitute—
(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3)—
(a) a member of a police force other than a rejoiner member—
(i) appointed in the rank of constable, other than such a member who transferred to the force from another police force having completed the required period of probation therein;
(ii) in the case of a DE inspector, appointed in the rank of inspector, or
(iii) in the case of a DE superintendent, appointed in the rank of superintendent, or
(b) a special constable,
must be on probation for such period as the Secretary of State must determine in respect of such appointments.
.
4 Amendments to regulation 13 (discharge of probationer)
(1) Regulation 13 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1)—
(a) after “constable”, in each place it occurs, insert “, special constable”;
(b) for “become” substitute “be”.
(3) In paragraph (3), after “constable’s” insert “, special constable’s”.
(4) After paragraph (4) insert—
(5) Subject to paragraph (6), a chief officer may delegate their functions under paragraph (1) to a—
(a) senior officer;
(b) former senior officer, who last served as a senior officer no more than five years before the date on which any functions under this regulation are to be delegated to them, or
(c) police staff member who, in the opinion of the chief officer, is of at least a similar level of seniority to a senior officer.
(6) Paragraph (5) does not apply to the function of dispensing with the services of a rejoiner member who is a senior officer.
(7) In this regulation—
(a) “senior officer” means a member of a police force holding a rank above that of chief superintendent or who is required to perform the duties normally performed by a member of a police force holding a rank above that of chief superintendent;
(b) “former senior officer” includes a person who, at the time they ceased to be a member of a police force, was required to perform the duties normally performed by a member of a police force holding a rank above that of chief superintendent.
.
6 Amendments to regulation 2 (interpretation and delegation)
(1) Regulation 2 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1)—
(a) after the definition of “the Police Regulations” insert—
“the Vetting Regulations” means the Police (Vetting) Regulations 2025;
;
(b) after the definition of “criminal proceedings” insert—
“designated police volunteer” means a person designated as a community support volunteer or a policing support volunteer under section 38(1A) of the Police Reform Act 2002;
;
(c) in the definition of “gross misconduct”, after “as to justify dismissal” insert “, and for the purposes of these Regulations conduct which has resulted in conviction of an indictable-only offence is to be taken to constitute such a breach”;
(d) in the definition of “misconduct hearing”, for “whether”, in the second place it occurs, substitute “, if it amounts to misconduct or gross misconduct, what”;
(e) in the definition of “misconduct meeting”, for “whether”, in the second place it occurs, substitute “, if it amounts to misconduct, what”.
(3) After paragraph (2) insert—
(2A) For the purposes of these Regulations, an offence is an “indictable-only” offence if—
(a) in the case of an offence under the law of England and Wales or Northern Ireland, it is an offence which, if committed by an adult, is triable only on indictment;
(b) in the case of an offence under the law of Scotland, it is an offence triable only on indictment.
.
(4) After paragraph (4C) insert—
(4D) For the purposes of paragraph (4B)—
(a) “senior officer” includes a member of a police force who is required to perform the duties normally performed by a member of a police force holding a rank above that of chief superintendent;
(b) “former senior officer” includes a person who, at the time they ceased to be a member of a police force, was required to perform the duties normally performed by a member of a police force holding a rank above that of chief superintendent.
.
8 Amendments to regulation 9 (provision of notices or documents)
(1) Regulation 9 is amended as follows.
(2) The existing text becomes paragraph (1).
(3) In that paragraph—
(a) in the opening words, for “Where” substitute “Subject to paragraph (2), where”;
(b) for sub-paragraph (b) substitute—
(b) sent to the officer by e-mail or other means of electronic communication;
.
(4) After that paragraph insert—
(2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to give or supply a written notice or document to the officer concerned under paragraph (1)(a) or (b) and there is no agreement under paragraph (1)(c) or (d), the written notice or document must be—
(a) left with a person at the officer’s last known address, or
(b) sent to the officer’s last known address by first class post by recorded delivery or other service which provides for delivery on the next working day (“by post”).
(3) Where a written notice or document is sent by e-mail or other means of electronic communication, it is to be taken to have been given or supplied to the officer concerned—
(a) if the e-mail or other electronic transmission is sent on a working day before 4.30 p.m., on that day, or
(b) in any other case, on the next working day after the day on which it was sent.
(4) Where a written notice or document is sent by post, it is to be taken to have been given or supplied to the officer concerned—
(a) on the second day after it was posted, left with, delivered to or collected by the relevant service provider, provided that day is a working day, or
(b) in any other case, on the next working day after the day on which it was posted, left with, delivered to or collected by the relevant service provider.
.
9 Amendments to regulation 14 (severity assessment)
(1) Regulation 14 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (2), after sub-paragraph (a) insert—
(aa) the matter should be referred to be dealt with under the Vetting Regulations;
.
(3) In paragraph (3), after “(2)(a)” insert “, (aa)”.
(4) In paragraph (7), after “process” insert “, the Vetting Regulations”.
11 Amendments to regulation 21 (report of investigation)
(1) Regulation 21 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (2)(d), after “under”, in the second place it occurs, insert “the Vetting Regulations,”.
(3) In paragraph (4)(c), after “under” insert “the Vetting Regulations,”.
13 Amendments to regulation 27 (withdrawal of misconduct proceedings)
(1) Regulation 27 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (2)(a)(iii), after “under” insert “the Vetting Regulations or”.
(3) In paragraph (3), after “under” insert “the Vetting Regulations or”.
15 Amendments to regulation 42 (outcome of misconduct proceedings)
(1) Regulation 42 is amended as follows.
(2) For paragraph (1) substitute—
(1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, where the person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings find that the conduct of the officer concerned amounts to misconduct or gross misconduct, they must impose disciplinary action mentioned in paragraph (2) or (3) as appropriate.
(1A) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, where the person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings find that the conduct of the officer concerned amounts to neither misconduct nor gross misconduct, they must—
(a) direct that the matter is referred to be dealt with under the reflective practice review process, or
(b) take no further action.
.
(3) In paragraph (3)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a)—
(i) for “person conducting or chairing” substitute “person or persons conducting”;
(ii) for “decides” substitute “decide”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b)—
(i) for “person conducting or chairing” substitute “person or persons conducting”;
(ii) for “decides” substitute “decide”;
(iii) for paragraphs (i) to (iii) substitute—
(i) dismissal without notice, or
(ii) if the person or persons conducting the misconduct proceedings are satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which justify it—
(aa) a final written warning, or
(bb) reduction in rank.
.
16 Amendment to regulation 49 (referral of case to accelerated misconduct hearing)
In regulation 49, before paragraph (1) insert—
(A1) Subject to paragraph (A2), after receipt of the investigator's report under regulation 21(1), the appropriate authority may at any time determine whether the special conditions are satisfied.
(A2) Where the case is referred to misconduct proceedings, the appropriate authority must not make a determination under paragraph (A1) on or after the date of the misconduct meeting or misconduct hearing.
.
17 Amendments to regulation 62 (outcome of accelerated misconduct hearing)
(1) Regulation 62 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1)—
(a) in the opening words—
(i) for “person conducting or chairing” substitute “person or persons conducting”;
(ii) for “finds” substitute “find”;
(iii) for “may be” substitute “must be”;
(b) for sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) substitute—
(a) dismissal without notice, or
(b) if the person or persons conducting the accelerated misconduct hearing are satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which justify it—
(i) a final written warning, or
(ii) reduction in rank.
;
(3) In paragraph (8)—
(a) for “person conducting or chairing” substitute “person or persons conducting”;
(b) for “finds” substitute “find”.
(4) In paragraph (12)—
(a) for “person conducting or chairing” substitute “person or persons conducting”;
(b) for “person considers” substitute “person or persons consider”.
19 Amendment to regulation 4 (interpretation and delegation)
In regulation 4(1)—
(a) after the definition of “the Conduct Regulations” insert—
“the Vetting Regulations” means the Police (Vetting) Regulations 2025;
“appeal manager”, in relation to the officer concerned, means the person appointed by the appropriate authority to that role for the purposes of these Regulations, being of a rank or level of seniority which is above that of the line manager of the officer;
;
(b) in the definition of “proposed witness”, for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”;
(c) omit the definition of “relevant terms of the final written improvement notice”;
(d) omit the definition of “second line manager”;
(e) omit the definition of “second stage appeal meeting”;
(f) in the definition of “second stage meeting”, for “regulation 22(2) or 24(5)(e)” substitute “regulation 30(2) or 32(3)”;
(g) for the definition of “senior manager” substitute—
“senior manager”, in relation to the officer concerned, means the police officer or police staff member appointed by the appropriate authority to that role for the purposes of these Regulations, being of at least the same rank or level of seniority as the person who is the appeal manager of the officer;
;
(h) omit the definition of “third stage meeting”.
21 Amendments to regulation 7 (provision of notices or documents)
(1) Regulation 7 is amended as follows.
(2) The existing text becomes paragraph (1).
(3) In that paragraph—
(a) in the opening words, for “Where” substitute “Subject to paragraph (2), where”;
(b) for sub-paragraph (b) substitute—
(b) sent to the officer by e-mail or other means of electronic communication;
.
(4) After that paragraph insert—
(2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to give or supply a written notice or document to the officer concerned under paragraph (1)(a) or (b) and there is no agreement under paragraph (1)(c) or (d), the written notice or document must be—
(a) left with a person at the officer’s last known address, or
(b) sent to the officer’s last known address by first class post by recorded delivery or other service which provides for delivery on the next working day (“by post”).
(3) Where a written notice or document is sent by e-mail or other means of electronic communication, it is to be taken to have been given or supplied to the officer concerned—
(a) if the e-mail or other electronic transmission is sent on a working day before 4.30 p.m., on that day, or
(b) in any other case, on the next working day after the day on which it was sent.
(4) Where a written notice or document is sent by post, it is to be taken to have been given or supplied to the officer concerned—
(a) on the second day after it was posted, left with, delivered to or collected by the relevant service provider, provided that day is a working day, or
(b) in any other case, on the next working day after the day on which it was posted, left with, delivered to or collected by the relevant service provider.
.
22 Amendments to regulation 8 (procedure at meetings under these Regulations)
(1) Regulation 8 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1)—
(a) in the opening words, for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(3) In paragraph (2), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(4) In paragraph (3)(a)(v), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(5) In paragraph (5), in both places that it occurs, for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(6) In paragraph (7), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(7) In paragraph (9)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a), omit “, 23(8), 27(6)(b)”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b), omit “23(2),”.
(1) Regulation 9 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(3) In paragraph (2), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(4) In paragraph (3), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(5) In paragraph (4), for “or equivalent rank or grade” substitute “rank or level of seniority”.
(6) In paragraph (5) for “a second line manager” substitute “an appeal manager”.
24 Amendments to regulation 10 (reference to certain periods)
(1) Regulation 10 is amended as follows.
(2) For paragraph (2) substitute—
(2) The regulations are—
(a) regulation 17(6A), and
(b) regulation 46(7A) and (8)(a)(i).
.
(3) In paragraph (4), for “under”, in the second place it occurs, substitute “in accordance with”.
25 Amendment to regulation 11 (suspension of certain periods)
In regulation 11(2)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “regulation 17(6)(c)” substitute “regulation 17(6A)”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b), at the end insert “or 46(7)(d)”;
(c) omit sub-paragraphs (c) and (d);
(d) in sub-paragraph (e), for “under regulation 46(7)(c), (d) or (8)(a)” substitute “in accordance with regulation 46(7A) or (8)(a)(i)”;
(e) in sub-paragraph (f), for “final written improvement notice” substitute “written improvement notice”.
26 Amendments to regulation 12 (meeting following investigation under Schedule 3 to the 2002 Act)
(1) Regulation 12 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1), in the opening words, omit “, (3)”.
(3) In paragraph (2)(b), after “regulation 18(4) or 46(7)(d),” insert “or, where the period of the written improvement notice has been extended under regulation 46(3)(d), within the meaning of regulation 46(8)(c),”.
(4) Omit paragraph (3).
(5) In paragraph (6)—
(a) at the end of sub-paragraph (a) insert “and”;
(b) omit sub-paragraph (b) and the “and” after it;
(c) in sub-paragraph (c), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(6) In paragraph (7), in the opening words, omit “, 23(2)”.
(7) In paragraph (8)—
(a) in the opening words—
(i) for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”;
(ii) for “paragraph (3)” substitute “paragraph (2)”;
(iii) for “final written improvement notice” substitute “written improvement notice”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (a), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
27 Amendment to regulation 13 (provision of information to the Director General)
In regulation 13(2)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a)—
(i) omit paragraphs (iii) to (v);
(ii) in paragraph (viii), for “final written improvement notice” substitute “written improvement notice”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “25(6)(c) or 46(7)(c) or (8)(a)” substitute “46(7A) or (8)(a)(i)”.
28 Amendments to regulation 14 (meeting following referral under the Conduct Regulations)
(1) Regulation 14 is amended as follows.
(2) In the heading, after “Regulations” insert “or the Vetting Regulations”.
(3) Before paragraph (1) insert—
(A1) This regulation applies where regulation 32 does not apply and—
(a) the appropriate authority assesses under regulation 14(2)(b), 23(5)(b) or 27(2)(a)(iii) of the Conduct Regulations that a matter should be referred to be dealt with under these Regulations, or
(b) the vetting authority assesses under regulation 15(2)(a), 22(5)(a) or 24(1)(b) of the Vetting Regulations that a matter should be referred to be dealt with under these Regulations.
.
(4) In paragraph (1)—
(a) for the opening words substitute “Where this regulation applies—”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (a), omit “, (3)”;
(c) in sub-paragraph (b)(i)—
(i) for “each of paragraphs (2)(a) and (3)(a)” substitute “paragraph (2)(a)”;
(ii) for “(1)(c) or (d)” substitute “(1)(b)(iii), (iv) or (v)”;
(iii) for “14(1)” substitute “14(A1)”;
(d) in sub-paragraph (b)(ii), for “14(2)(a)” substitute “14(1)(a)”;
(e) in sub-paragraph (b)(iv)—
(i) for “(c)” substitute “(e)”;
(ii) after “Conduct Regulations” insert “or the assessor’s report submitted under regulation 23 of the Vetting Regulations”.
(5) For paragraph (2) substitute—
(2) In this regulation—
(a) “investigator” is to be construed in accordance with the definition of that word in regulation 2(1) of the Conduct Regulations, and
(b) “assessor” and “vetting authority” are to be construed in accordance with the definitions of those words in regulation 2(1) of the Vetting Regulations.
.
30 Amendments to regulation 17 (procedure at first stage meeting)
(1) Regulation 17 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (6)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (c)—
(i) for “such reasonable period as the line manager specifies (being a period not exceeding 12 months)” substitute “such period as the line manager specifies in accordance with paragraph (6A)”;
(ii) for “regulation 22” substitute “regulation 30”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (e), for “regulation 22” substitute “regulation 30”.
(3) After paragraph (6) insert—
(6A) The period specified must be three months, except where the line manager considers that there are circumstances which justify a longer period, in which case the period specified must be a reasonable period not exceeding 12 months.
.
32 Amendments to regulation 19 (appeal against the finding and outcome of a first stage meeting)
(1) Regulation 19 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (3)(c), for “regulation 17(6)(c)” substitute “regulation 17(6A)”.
(3) In paragraph (5), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(4) In paragraph (7), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(5) In paragraph (8), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(6) In paragraph (9), in both places that it occurs, for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
33 Amendments to regulation 20 (arrangement of first stage appeal meeting)
(1) Regulation 20 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1)—
(a) in the opening words, for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(3) In paragraph (2), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(4) In paragraph (3), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(5) In paragraph (5)(b), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(6) In paragraph (6), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
34 Amendments to regulation 21 (procedure at first stage appeal meeting)
(1) Regulation 21 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (2), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(3) In paragraph (3), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(4) In paragraph (5), in the opening words, for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(5) In paragraph (6), in the opening words, for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(6) In paragraph (7), in both places that it occurs, for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(7) In paragraph (8), in both places that it occurs, for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(8) In paragraph (9), for “second line manager’s” substitute “appeal manager’s”.
(9) In paragraph (10)—
(a) in the opening words, for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”;
(b) in the closing words, for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
37 Amendments to regulation 30 (assessment following second stage meeting)
(1) Regulation 30 is amended as follows.
(2) In the heading, for “second stage meeting” substitute “first stage meeting”.
(3) In paragraph (1)—
(a) in the opening words—
(i) for “final written improvement notice” substitute “written improvement notice”;
(ii) for “regulation 25(6)(c)” substitute “regulation 17(6A)”;
(b) in paragraph (a), for “second line manager” substitute “appeal manager”.
(4) In paragraph (2), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(5) In paragraph (3)—
(a) in the opening words, for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”;
(b) in each of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(6) In paragraph (4)—
(a) for “final written improvement notice” substitute “written improvement notice”;
(b) for “regulation 25(6)(c)” substitute “regulation 17(6A)”.
(7) In paragraph (5)(b), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(8) In paragraph (6)—
(a) for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”;
(b) for “final written improvement notice” substitute “written improvement notice”.
38 Amendments to regulation 31 (arrangement of a third stage meeting)
(1) Regulation 31 is amended as follows.
(2) In the heading, for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(3) In paragraph (1)—
(a) in the opening words, for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (a), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
(4) In paragraph (3), for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”.
39 Amendments to regulation 32 (circumstances in which a third stage meeting may be required without a prior first or second stage meeting)
(1) Regulation 32 is amended as follows.
(2) In the heading—
(a) for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”;
(b) for “first or second stage meeting” substitute “first stage meeting”.
(3) In paragraph (3)—
(a) for “third stage meeting” substitute “second stage meeting”;
(b) omit “or a second stage meeting”.