Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will introduce measures to ensure that retired police officers cannot refuse to engage with police standards investigations if there is a complaint about their conduct during their time in service.

The Government introduced reforms through the Policing and Crime Act, 2017 that allow for disciplinary action to be taken against a police officer who has retired or resigned where they are subject to allegations of gross misconduct in respect of their time in service.

In these circumstances, a former officer will remain subject to the Police (Conduct) Regulations which will set out how the former officer should co-operate and engage with the investigation and attend an interview or respond to a written notice of enquiry. In the event of a former officer choosing not to participate or engage with an investigation and proceedings, the regulations will enable the proceedings to continue to a full conclusion in his or her absence.