IOPC power to require management action below misconduct threshold
The IOPC should be provided with the power to require a force to take 'management action' in situations that fall short of misconduct but where standards of conduct and/or performance have fallen short of a reasonable public expectation. A force required by the IOPC to carry out such 'management action' should confirm within 28 days of the requirement having been notified that it has been carried out and what it entailed, or else provide a written explanation as to why no action has been taken.
- The government announced its intention to commission a review of the police complaints and disciplinary system (College of Policing APP-AP update, August 2023).
- The Police Accountability Rapid Review was published in October 2025, recommending amendments to the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020. The government accepted the recommendation to apply the criminal law test for use of force in misconduct cases (Police Accountability Rapid Review, Home Office, October 2025).
- No published evidence that the IOPC has been given the power to require forces to take management action in cases falling short of misconduct has been identified to March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Under Consideration
Response
Under ConsiderationDirected to Home Office. Part of broader review of complaints and disciplinary system.
Progress Timeline
Police Accountability Rapid Review published October 2025 (Tim Godwin and Sir Adrian Fulford). Government accepted recommendation to raise use of force test in misconduct cases. Changes to Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 intended for Spring 2026. Review relates to broader accountability framework but does not directly implement this specific recommendation on IOPC management action powers.
Status as of College of Policing APP-AP update (August 2023): Not Started