§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek powers to ensure that the conclusions of all publicly funded investigations into the conduct of senior police officers are made public. [129718]
§ Ms BlearsThe Secretary of State has no plans to do so.
The investigation into allegations against senior officers is a matter for the relevant police authority or where the senior officer has left the force and a criminal investigation takes place, the chief officer. They own the report into the investigation and are acquainted with the facts of the case and any decision on disclosure is a matter for them.
However, the new complaints system which is due to be introduced from April 2004, under provisions in the Police Reform Act 2002, will place a clear duty on those responsible for an investigation to keep the complainant properly informed during, and at the end of, an investigation. The presumption will be on openness, specifically allowing for the disclosure of the investigation report, subject to a sensitivity test.