Final Report of the Morris Inquiry: The Case for Change

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
7.166 For example, Ms AA and another female colleague were sexually harassed by
an officer. He was found guilty of five counts of sexual harassment and dismissed
from the service on two. On appeal, the officer was reinstated and was given a
reprimand and a fine. In another case, Ms OO was indecently assaulted by her
line manager. He was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault and fined
13 days’ pay.
7.167 We, therefore, welcome the fact that, since we began our work, the MPS has
issued guidelines on sanctions.
7.168 We believe that these will be very useful and become even more valuable if
our recommendations on the disciplinary framework are accepted since it is likely
that more disciplinary issues will then be devolved to OCU level.
Assistant Commissioner Reviews
7.169 The Police (Conduct) Regulations 2004 (which replaced the Police (Conduct)
Regulations 1999) provide for a review of the decision of a Disciplinary Panel by an
Assistant Commissioner (Chief Constable outside London). We have received
evidence which gives rise to a concern that the ‘reviewing officer’ may not always
have as much information as is needed to make a proper decision.
7.170 We have been informed that the MPS has issued a guide on these reviews
and we believe that the guide is a good first step in clarifying the process for all
concerned. However, we believe that it does not go far enough in emphasising the
need for the reviewing officer to be satisfied that he or she has all the information
required to make a proper decision.
We recommend that the MPS strengthens its guidance on Assistant
Commissioner Reviews by including provisions:
ii. making it clear that the reviewing officer should have access to all
available documentation as of right; and
ii. for the reviewing officer to be satisfied that he or she has all the
necessary information required to make a proper decision.
We consider that this may be a national issue.
We recommend that the relevant Committee of the Association of Chief Police
Officers should consider issuing guidance on Chief Constable (Assistant
Commissioner) Reviews.
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