C3000 Policy - Professional Standards

Number: C3000
Date Published: 2 April 2020
Version 4 – April 2020

1.0 Summary of Changes

This policy has been updated to reflect changes in regulations and statutory guidance relating to police complaints and misconduct. Changes have specifically been made to:

• Throughout the document links have been updated to the latest Regulations, Home Office Guidance etc;
• Section 4.1 reference to “LPA Complaints Managers” has been replaced with “locally appointed delegated Appropriate Authority’s”;
• New paragraphs added within section 7 regarding data security and retention and disposal of records;
• Owner and author details updated.

2.0 What this Policy is About

Essex Police is committed to providing the highest professional standard of service to the public. Professional standards are at the core of policing and will undoubtedly impact on both public reassurance and confidence. Officers and staff are therefore required to meet and exceed such expectation; to conduct oneself with integrity; acting with compassion, courtesy and patience at all times.

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3.0 Statement of Policy

Policing by consent relies upon all sections of the community having trust and confidence in the police service. The public therefore have a right to expect high standards of conduct and professionalism.

Essex Police has a responsibility to:

• Listen and respond to concerns expressed by members of the public;
• To build confidence in the services provided and rigorously investigate any allegation or complaint in order to:
  
  • Combat corruption;
  • Promote professionalism;
  • Learn from our mistakes;
  • Improve the quality of service;
  • Reduce dissatisfaction.

We will ensure that professional standards are maintained in accordance with the Police Service Statement of Common Purpose and Values. Officers and staff are required to carry out their duties:

• With honesty and integrity;
• Courteously;
• Without fear or favour;
• Exercising responsible discretion;
• Using only reasonable force.

Essex Police will respond to well founded criticism; challenging improper practice with a willingness to learn and change. The Professional Standards Department in partnership with LPA Commanders and Departmental Heads has a responsibility to continually assess the performance their teams. This is to maintain and improve the quality of the service provided in order that we are able to meet the changing needs of the public.

Every member of Essex Police has a personal responsibility to ensure their conduct is in accordance with the professional standards set out within this document.

The public expects both officers and staff engaged in a supervisory role to ensure the highest professional standards are maintained. Supervisors therefore must:

• Challenge conduct which falls below the Statement of Common Purpose;
• Promote equality, diversity and human rights;
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, partners and other members of the community.

Local Policing Area (LPA) Commanders and Departmental Heads will ensure that incidents of public complaint or alleged misconduct are effectively resolved using the complaints procedure. This responsibility will require full compliance with the following:

• Police Reform Act 2002
• Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020
• Police (Performance) Regulations 2020
• Home Office Guidance, Conduct, Efficiency and Effectiveness;
• IOPC Statutory Guidance on the police complaints system 2020
• Police Staff Disciplinary Protocol
• Force Procedure – C 3001 Dealing with Complaints Against the Police

The Professional Standards Department (PSD) will provide advice and support to officers and staff with regard to the implementation of this policy. It will also provide guidance with respect to all issues which impact on professional standards throughout Essex Police. The intention will be to maintain public confidence through the appropriate management of the complaints procedure.

The PSD is responsible for:

• Managing complaints concerning officers or staff;
• Recording and monitoring all complaints;
• Defining the most appropriate authority to ensure each complaint is effectively resolved at an appropriate level.

PSD will ensure that the procedures outlined in this document are also in accordance with the following principles:

• Fairness and consistency;
• Respect for all people;
• Accountability;
• Improving standards;
• Proportionality;
• Increasing public confidence;
• Timeliness and effectiveness.

All officers and staff have a clear duty to report suspected corruption, dishonest or unethical behaviour. Essex Police will encourage and enable both officers and staff to raise such concerns with confidence; they will be fully supported by their colleagues and dealt with in an appropriate and structured manner.

The behaviour of officers and staff, whether on or off duty affects public confidence in the Police Service as a whole. Conduct which brings or is likely to bring discredit to the Police Service will be dealt with in accordance with the complaints and misconduct procedure.

4.0 Implications of the Policy

4.1 Finance / Staffing / Training / Other

There are no additional financial implications regarding the implementation of this policy document.

The Head of the Professional Standards Department will liaise with locally appointed delegated Appropriate Authority’s to identify and action:

• Identified themes or trends;
• Shared learning outcomes;
• Individual learning and development.

PSD works in consultation with all staff associations which include Unison and the Police Federation, to ensure that officers and staff are treated in a fair and transparent manner.

PSD will fully comply with the requirements detailed with the Home Office statutory guidance and IOPC Statutory Guidance.

4.2 Risk Assessment(s)

Decision making will follow guidance as provided by the National Decision Model (NDM) and due regard will be given to the Policing Principles and Standards of Professional Behaviour contained within the Code of Ethics.

4.3 Equality Impact Assessment

Separate EIAs have been completed for procedures relating to this policy.

5.0 Consultation

The following were invited to provide feedback in the consultation phase during the formulation of this document:

• Essex Diversity and Inclusion Co-Ordinator
• Unison
• Federation
• Police Superintendents Association
• PSD Superintendent
• Catholic Police Guild
• Christian Police Association – Essex Branch
• Disability Network
• Menopause Support Group – Karen Brimson
• Minority & Ethnic Support Association (MESA)
• LGBT Network
• Women’s Leadership & Development Forum
• Worklife Balance Network
• Strategic Change Team
• Policy/Risk

6.0 Monitoring and Review

The Head of the Professional Standards Department will formally review this policy and associated procedures on a yearly basis from the date of publication, to consider:

• Its effectiveness in the business area concerned;
• Any changes to legislation;
• Challenges to the procedure;
• Any identified concerns in relation to implementation.

7.0 Related Force Policies or Related Procedures

• C 3001 Procedure – Dealing with Complaints Against the Police
• C 3019 Procedure – Practice Requiring Improvement/Reflective Practice Review Process
• L 1200 Protocol – Police Staff Discipline

7.1 Data Security

Essex Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy – W 1000 Policy – Information Management.

7.2 Retention & Disposal of Records

Essex Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention & Disposal Policy – W 1012 Procedure/SOP - Records Review, Retention and Disposal.

We will only hold data for as long as necessary for the purposes for which we collected. Victims/public should be reminded that Essex Police take the protection of personal data seriously as described in the privacy notice.

8.0 Other Source Documents, e.g. Legislation, Authorised Professional Practice (APP), Partnership Agreements (if applicable)

• Police Reform Act 2002
• Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020
• Police (Performance) Regulations 2020
• Home Office Guidance – statutory guidance on Professional Standards, Performance and Integrity in Policing Issued by the Home Office
• IOPC Statutory Guidance on the police complaints system 2020