§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of internal discipline cases involving officers of the Metropolitan Police result in the case against the officer being found proven and not proven, respectively;
(2) how long on average internal discipline cases in the Metropolitan Police take from charges being made to the resolution of the charges against the officers;
(3) what is the average cost per case of internal disciplinary procedures in the Metropolitan Police per year; and how many personnel are involved in internal disciplinary procedures;
(4) how many Metropolitan Police officers who have been disciplined in the last 10 years have subsequently been convicted in a criminal court on the same charges;
(5) how many Metropolitan Police officers acquitted in British courts have later been disciplined internally on the same charges;
(6) how many Metropolitan Police officers have been suspended in each of the last 10 years;
(7) how many suspensions of police officers in the Metropolitan Police over the last five years have been followed by (a) criminal convictions in the courts, (b) prosecutions, (c) internal discipline and (d) no action.
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§ Mr. MayhewThe information requested is not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is taking any steps to alter the discipline procedures in the Metropolitan Police so as to improve the provision made for the defence of those officers accused of disciplinary offences;
(2) why serving officers of the Metropolitan Police cannot be represented by a solicitor or counsel when charged under the disciplinary procedures of the Police Disciplinary Regulations.
§ Mr. MayhewPolice officers may obtain legal advice in relation to disciplinary matters, but regulations 16(6) of the Police (Discipline) Regulations 1977 provides only for another police officer to represent an accused officer at a disciplinary hearing. The Police Federation recently submitted proposals to the Police Advisory Board for changes in disciplinary procedures, including a right for accused officers to legal representation.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there are any prescribed punishments for particular offences contained in the police disciplinary regulations of the Metropolitan Police; and, if so, if he will list each offence and the punishment which applies to it.
§ Mr. MayhewNo. The Police (Discipline) Regulations 1977, which apply to all forces, including the Metropolitan Police, prescribe only the punishments available to chief officers, or the disciplinary board in the case of the Metropolitan Police. Punishments are not specified for particular offences.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal investigation department officers of the Metropolitan Police have been transferred from non-uniformed to uniformed duties in the last 10 years for disciplinary reasons.
§ Mr. MayhewNone.