§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what length of time should elapse after a chief constable has received a report from the Police Complaints Authority before action is taken. [20778]
§ Mr. MacleanUnder Part IX of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the investigation of complaints is the responsibility of the chief officer of police, who is required to submit a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions where an investigation indicates that a criminal offence may have been committed. After the director has reached a decision on criminal proceedings or if the chief officer is satisfied that no criminal offence has been committed, the chief officer must submit a memorandum to the Police Complaints Authority stating whether he has or intends to prefer disciplinary charges in respect of matter investigated.
The joint statement of intent by the Police Complaints Authority, Crown Prosecution Service and Association of Chief Police Officers sets a target of 28 days of receipt of the investigation report in which the Crown Prosecution Service will deal with all but the more complex cases. The Police Complaints Authority's target is to complete consideration of the disciplinary aspects of the case within 28 days of the receipt of the chief officer's memorandum.