Legal and Professional Standards Department - Wrongdoing policy (P01)

1. Summary of changes

1.1 This policy has been reviewed in January 2024 - no amendments to content made. 

2. What this policy is about

2.1. This policy provides:

• clear and effective mechanisms for open and confidential reporting of wrongdoing
• comprehensive arrangements for supporting staff who, in good faith make such a report; and acknowledgment of the potential impact on an individual, division, department or on the service
• a framework for the force to provide the most proportionate response in situations where there is a loss in confidence in the appropriateness of an individual officer or member of staff to continue in a particular role based on serious concerns arising from intelligence so sensitive that it may not be able to be disclosed to the individual officer or member of staff concerned; or in situations where an identified risk posed by a close associate or family member of an officer or member of staff needs to be effectively managed

Compliance with this policy and any linked SOPs is mandatory.

3. Statement of policy

3.1. This policy may be used by staff to report wrongdoing and compliments, but does not replace the Police Conduct Regulations 2020, Police Complaints and Misconduct Regulations 2020 – Unsatisfactory Performance Procedures - Police Staff Discipline –Police Staff Capability - Information security; Health and safety - Personal harassment –Grievance or complaints against Chief Officers (NPCC officers) or Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) employees can be done thorough the PCC website.

3.2. All staff have a responsibility to report suspected wrongdoing by others in the force. In the past cultural pressures within the police service, misguided loyalties and comradeship, have actively discouraged staff from reporting ‘wrongdoing’. This policy will refer to the Standards of Professional Behaviour: Challenging and reporting improper conduct. Police officers are expected to uphold the standards of professional behaviour in the police service by taking appropriate action if they come across the conduct of a colleague, which has fallen below these standards.

3.3. Concerns should be reported to the most appropriate person based on that person’s knowledge, role or responsibilities.

3.4. Members of staff who in the circumstances feel they cannot challenge a colleague directly, e.g. if they are a more junior rank and are not confident, should report their concerns, preferably to a line manager. If they do not feel able to approach a line manager with their concerns, they may report the matter through the confidential reporting mechanisms (see below), to the force or to the Police and Crime Commissioner or externally to the Independent Office for police Conduct (IOPC). Confidential reporting mechanisms: Confidential telephone line' (01622 636363) and anonymous email system.

3.5. Police officers will be supported by the service if they report conduct which has fallen below the standards expected, unless such a report is found to be malicious or otherwise made in bad faith. Whilst the open reporting of misconduct by any member of staff is actively encouraged, it is recognised that in some instances, members of staff making reports may wish to remain anonymous. Therefore this policy, provides additional assurance.

3.6. The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty upon specified authorities (which includes the police) to ensure that their functions are discharged having due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism. Our staff are not immune from radicalisation, therefore if such concerns regarding an individual or institution are identified, these should be referred to the Kent Police prevent team via the FIMU at Kent SB JIU.

4. Implications of the policy

4.1. Risk assessment

4.1.1 This policy has been assessed as low risk.

4.2. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.2.1. An EIA has been carried out and shows the proposals in this policy would have no potential or actual differential impact on grounds of race, religion or belief, disability, gender, sexual orientation, transgender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age.

5. Consultation

• Detective Chief Inspector Professional Standards

6. Monitoring and review

6.1. Monitoring and review shall be under taken by the Professional Standards Department. This policy will be reviewed every two years with the next review taking place in January 2026.

7. Security

7.1 Kent Police has measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy (Policy W01 – Information Management).

8. Retention and disposal of records

8.1 Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy.