§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many policemen found to have committed acts of domestic violence have been(a) suspended and (b) dismissed in England and Wales in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [105045]
§ Mr. Bob Ainsworth[holding answer 28 March 2003]: When an accusation is made against a police officer an investigation is conducted by a police force's Criminal and Professional Standards Unit. If the police officer is convicted there is a presumption that he or she would be dismissed from the police force, but this is a matter for consideration by the police force.
There is currently no national policy regarding police perpetrators of domestic violence. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is actively consulting with all police forces regarding this subject and are endeavouring to develop nationwide guidance which it hopes to deliver in September 2003.