MPA statement: response to Independent Police Complaints Commission decision

43/11
17 August 2011

The MPA notes the decision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in respect of the five referrals made to the commission, including their decision to conduct an independent investigation of one of the five referrals.

Notes to editors:

1. The MPA Professional Standards Cases Sub-committee (PSCSC) referred five recorded conduct matters to the IPCC on 18 July 2011.

2. Having received these referrals, the IPCC announced in a press release that the IPCC ‘would assess the referrals carefully to determine what should be investigated at this stage, bearing in mind the judicial inquiry.’

3. A term of reference of Lord Leveson’s Inquiry is to ‘inquire into the way in which any relevant police force investigated allegations or evidence of unlawful conduct by persons within or connected with News International, the review by the Metropolitan Police of their initial investigation, and the conduct of the prosecuting authorities.’

4. Under the Police Reform Act 2002 and associated regulations, the MPA is responsible for dealing with concerns raised by, or on behalf of, members of the public against senior police officers in the Metropolitan Police Service.

5. A conduct matter is an indication that a person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner which would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.

6. Disciplinary proceedings would be justified if it appears that an officer may have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour.

7. If it is decided that allegations give rise to a conduct matter, the MPA is required to consider whether the conduct matter should be recorded and whether to refer it to the IPCC.

8. It is for the IPCC to determine on every matter referred to it by a police authority, whether or not it is necessary for the matter to be investigated (Paragraph 14 of PRA 2002, schedule 3). If the IPCC determines that it is necessary for the matter to be investigated, it can determine that the investigation can be an investigation by the MPA, an investigation by the MPA under the supervision of the IPCC, an investigation by the MPA under the management of the IPCC or an independent investigation by the IPCC. If the IPCC does not consider that it is a matter to be investigated, it may be handed back to the police authority for it to determine how to deal with it (which can include no further action, or for it to be investigated).

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