 and David Carrick (R), both pictured in uniform, abused their positions as police officers Police officers guilty of gross misconduct in England and Wales will face automatic sackings, the government has announced. The change follows high-profile cases of officers committing rape and murder. The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, called the changes "a return to kangaroo courts". Under the new system, chief constables or their deputies will chair misconduct panels hearing serious allegations against officers. Until now the panels have been chaired by an independent lawyer. The Police Regulations, which govern officers' behaviour, will also be changed to allow police officers who fail revetting checks to be dismissed. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has been publicly campaigning for the change, telling MPs in April that independent lawyers are "more forgiving" of bad behaviour than senior police officers. In a statement issued by the government, Sir Mark said he was glad ministers had recognised the need for "substantial change". A review of the Met by Baroness Casey found the number of officers dismissed for gross misconduct started to fall when independent chairs were introduced to run the hearings. Home Office data on police misconduct shows that in the year ending March 2022, 12 officers out of 267 found guilty of gross misconduct were not punished with dismissal from the police. Of the 267 officers, 136 resigned or retired before they could be formally sanctioned. The Police Federation had lobbied the government not to change the current system, and called the announcement a "huge retrograde step". Its national chair, Steve Hartshorn, said: "A return to kangaroo courts, whereby an officer is already guilty in the eyes of the chief officer before any evidence is heard, and they already know what outcome they want to see, is deeply concerning." But the cha){kind=link}
Police officers guilty of gross misconduct in England and Wales will face automatic sackings, the government has announced.
The change follows high-profile cases of officers committing rape and murder.
The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, called the changes “a return to kangaroo courts”.
Under the new system, chief constables or their deputies will chair misconduct panels hearing serious allegations against officers.
Until now the panels have been chaired by an independent lawyer.