JB-15.23
Response
Under Consideration
Written questions as alternative to face-to-face IOPC interviews
Recommendation
Consideration should be given to the introduction of a practice requiring, as an alternative to a face-to-face interview, the submission of a list of questions for written answer within a fixed time – failure to provide which, absent a reasonable excuse, would amount to misconduct.
Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
- The IOPC has called for fundamental reform of the police complaints and disciplinary system (IOPC).
- The government announced its intention to commission a review of the complaints and disciplinary system following the Jermaine Baker Inquiry (College of Policing APP-AP update, August 2023).
- The Police Accountability Rapid Review was published in October 2025 by Tim Godwin and Sir Adrian Fulford, covering police accountability reforms. The review recommended amending the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 (Police Accountability Rapid Review, Home Office, October 2025).
- No published evidence that a practice requiring written questions as an alternative to face-to-face interview has been introduced has been identified to March 2026.
- The government announced its intention to commission a review of the complaints and disciplinary system following the Jermaine Baker Inquiry (College of Policing APP-AP update, August 2023).
- The Police Accountability Rapid Review was published in October 2025 by Tim Godwin and Sir Adrian Fulford, covering police accountability reforms. The review recommended amending the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 (Police Accountability Rapid Review, Home Office, October 2025).
- No published evidence that a practice requiring written questions as an alternative to face-to-face interview has been introduced has been identified to March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
Evidence searched by Claude (Anthropic) on 10 Apr 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
15.23
Response
Under Consideration
Response
Under Consideration
Under Consideration
Independent Office for Police Conduct
01 Aug 2023
IOPC has called for fundamental reform of complaints and disciplinary system. Government announced intention to commission review.
Progress Timeline
Official Report
01 Aug 2023
Status as of College of Policing APP-AP update (August 2023): In Progress
Responsible Bodies
Independent Office for Police Conduct
Primary
Themes & Tags
Recommendation age
3.9 yrs
Last formal update
1034 days ago