Recommendation ANG-12: Officers held to higher standard with fettered privacy rights
From Angiolini Inquiry Part 1 Report, published 29 February 2024.
Recommendation
With immediate effect, police forces should convey to all existing and prospective officers and staff that they must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. These circumstances include, but are not limited to: recruitment, vetting, aftercare, transfer, promotion, role change, returning to policing and maintaining standards. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold. Updated fair processing notices concerning changes to processing of personal data should be provided prior to any new processing taking place, including data-sharing.
In brief (written by this site)
The Angiolini Inquiry recommended notifying police personnel that their privacy rights can be fettered. In October 2026, the Cabinet Office reported that a new Code of Ethics establishes these higher standards and that Authorised Professional Practice on Vetting clarifies impingements on privacy rights, though updated fair processing notices were not mentioned (Cabinet Office, Oct 2026). In December 2025, the inquiry found that the measure had been reported complete following the publication of the code, with the College of Policing continuing to work with forces to embed it (Rt Hon. Lady Elish Angiolini LT DBE PC KC, Dec 2025).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 16 Oct 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
About this summary
This recommendation asks for cultural or behavioural change, which is difficult to verify from published sources alone. The record reflects policy commitments rather than measured outcomes.
Government response
We have reviewed the findings and recommendations in detail and accept them all. We have a number of ongoing national improvement plans and we are assessing how these will be updated and added to in light of the Inquiry findings.
However, the report today highlights the need for further action and the government, in tandem with policing partners, will thoroughly consider the recommendations made by Lady Elish and respond in full in due course.
Delivery
Cabinet Office says completed (5 October 2026)
A new Code of Ethics has been published. Section 2 of the Code makes clear the high standards expected of those working in policing, and Section 3 notes that ‘being a member of the policing profession’ means that higher expectations are placed on the police compared with the general public. The ‘right to privacy’ and expectation of impingement on this right is also made clear in a number of areas in the Authorised Professional Practice on Vetting.
From: Angiolini Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, October 2026 (data file)
What other bodies have found
In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.
Angiolini Inquiry (2 December 2025)
1.38 Summary of progress: This recommendation was reported as complete, with the publication of the new Code of Ethics. In particular, the National Police Chiefs’ Council identified that Section 2 of the new Code makes clear the high standards expected of those working in policing, and Section 3 notes that “Being a member of the policing profession” means that higher expectations are placed on the police compared with the general public. The Inquiry was told that the College of Policing continues to work closely with forces to embed the Code. The Inquiry was also told that the ‘right to privacy’ and expectation of impingement on this right is also made clear in a number of areas in the Authorised Professional Practice on Vetting.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- National Police Chiefs Council
Response - Home Office
Response - Cabinet Office
Delivery statement - Angiolini Inquiry
Finding