Five year legislative review

What is the current position?

Unlike the Chief Constable, legislation does not allow the Police Ombudsman to use a ‘fast-track procedure’ where there is incontrovertible evidence from an early stage in an investigation that there is criminality or gross misconduct which could result in an officer being dismissed without undue delay.

A recommendation for a fast-track special cases hearing in front of the Chief Constable can only be made when any criminal investigation is complete and, if applicable, any criminal proceedings have ended. 

What we propose

We believe that legislation should be amended to allow the Police Ombudsman to submit an early written report where there is incontrovertible evidence that there is criminality or gross misconduct which will result in an officer being dismissed.

Why is it important?

The current position leads to delay.

There are serious cases where fast-track procedures would have avoided undue delay (for example in this case: Call for Police Ombudsman fast-tracking powers after police officer’s dismissal takes four years).