§ Mr. RobathanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary rules apply to the senior officer in a police car that is driven by a junior officer in contravention of traffic regulations. [133040]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeAll police officers up to the rank of superintendent are subject to the Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999. Those above the rank of superintendent are subject to the Police (Conduct) (Senior Officers) Regulations 1999.
Although the Home Secretary has overall responsibility for the Police Service, the Police Act 1996 gives the day to day running of police forces, including disciplinary matters, to chief officers. Any police officer considered to have failed to meet the standards expected of them in the Codes of Conduct is liable to face such disciplinary action as deemed appropriate.
1163WFurther guidance on the new procedures relating to police conduct, introduced on 1 April 1999, can be found in the "Guidance on Police Unsatisfactory Performance, Complaints and Misconduct Procedures", a copy of which is in the Library. It is to be revised shortly by the addition of a section providing guidance on senior officer conduct (i.e. those above the rank of superintendent).