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<p>The Government has developed a comprehensive package of police integrity reforms
following two independent reviews and public consultations, and extensive consultation
with policing stakeholders. An impact assessment was published during the passage
of the Policing and Crime Act 2017.</p><p>Following the introduction of public misconduct
hearings in public, with legally qualified chairs (2015), the Government has extended
the police discipline system to former officers and introduced the police barred list
(December 2017). In January 2018, reforms to the Independent Police Complaints Commission
(IPCC) were implemented, streamlining decision-making and creating the Independent
Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Investigation times have fallen since these changes
were introduced.</p><p>The next phase of reforms will build on these changes, overhauling
the police complaints and discipline systems. Changes to simplify processes, for example
when making decisions on a case to answer, will make the system more efficient and
the police and IOPC will be required to provide a written explanation if an investigation
goes beyond 12 months and set out next steps. The police discipline system is being
reformed to make it more transparent, including requiring more information to be provided
to officers under investigation, and focusing it more on conduct that would warrant
a disciplinary sanction, establishing a more proportionate process for matters that
fall below that threshold</p><p><br>These reforms will be introduced when Parliamentary
time allows.</p>
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