Higher percentage of IOPC investigations leading to gross misconduct and misconduct being found proven

A report has shown that almost 80% of misconduct proceedings, carried out as a result of Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigations, led to gross misconduct or misconduct being found proven over a 12-month period.

Our third annual outcomes report, published today (Thursday 9 December), has shown that 107 misconduct proceedings were carried out by appropriate authorities following IOPC investigations between April 2020 and March 2021. Of these, 85 (79%) led to a finding of either gross misconduct (44) or misconduct (41) being found proven. Figures from the preceding two years, saw 58% of cases leading to misconduct being found proven.

Of the 44 cases where gross misconduct was found proven, 25 individuals were dismissed without notice, with 11 handed final written warnings. Final written warnings were also handed to seven of the 41 individuals involved in cases where misconduct was found proven.

Eight individuals faced criminal proceedings, with six (75%) pleading guilty or found guilty at trial – three of these were for misconduct in a public office.

In total, the IOPC completed 460 independent investigations over the 12-month period, with more than a third (159) examining the conduct of one or more individuals. 69 (15%) were criminal investigations.

293 police officers and staff were subject to investigation with 130 (44%) determined to have a case to answer for gross misconduct or misconduct. 82 were interviewed under criminal caution, with 57 (70%) of those referred to the CPS.

IOPC Director General Michael Lockwood said: “It’s crucial that we continue to do all we can to maintain public confidence in policing.

“The vast majority of police officers and staff uphold the professional standards that are expected of them. Our investigations independently scrutinise the actions of police officers and staff and ensure that those who may have breached those standards are held accountable through misconduct proceedings. Ultimately, the final decision about whether misconduct is proven and what, if any, sanction should apply is made during misconduct proceedings conducted by forces.

Our work also leads to changes in policing policy and practice. Since the IOPC was set up in 2018, we have made more than 500 statutory recommendations to improve policing practice in relation to a number of themes including stop and search, use of body worn video and the investigation of child sexual exploitation.”

The outcomes report is available on the IOPC website: www.policeconduct.gov.uk.