A Police Professional Standards Department (PSD) operates under a framework of legislation and guidance to ensure police officers and staff uphold high standards of conduct, integrity, and professionalism. Professional Standards Departments are responsible for:
- Investigating Complaints: Handling public complaints and internal misconduct allegations, ensuring fair and impartial investigations.
- Vetting: Conducting enhanced vetting checks to ensure officers and staff meet high standards of integrity.
- Anti-Corruption: Investigating allegations of corruption, dishonesty, or unethical behaviour through dedicated Anti-Corruption Units (ACUs).
- Maintaining Public Trust: Upholding the Code of Ethics and ensuring police actions align with the principle of policing by consent, which relies on public confidence in police integrity.
The College of Policing publish Guidance for ethical and professional behaviour in policing.
The Home Office published Statutory guidance Policing professional standards, performance and integrity
- The Standards of Professional Behaviour apply to all police officers, special constables, and staff, covering areas like integrity, respect, and appropriate use of authority.
- PSDs operate differently across forces (e.g., Sussex Police, Herts Police, Metropolitan Police), but all adhere to the same legislative framework.
A police department that deals with complaints against officers and staff. It receives, records, investigates and resolves public complaints and also records and investigates misconduct allegations.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services Professional Standards department (PSD) Glossary
By law, a police force must be able to investigate a complaint and have the opportunity to explain, apologise or put things right themselves.
Sussex Police refused to record an allegation of stalking as a crime….hardly policing without fear of favour. Check out the article National Stalking Awareness Week – Sussex Police. This has now been reported to the Sussex Police Professional Standards Department to investigate.
Key Legislation and Regulations
- Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020
- These regulations, which revoked and replaced the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012, govern internal conduct matters for police officers and special constables. They outline the Standards of Professional Behaviour, which include expectations such as honesty, integrity, respect, and fairness. Breaches are categorised as misconduct (serious enough to warrant disciplinary action) or gross misconduct (serious enough to justify dismissal).
- The regulations work alongside the Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020, which address public complaints under Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act 2002.
- Key provisions include requirements for officers to cooperate during investigations, treat information appropriately, and report colleagues’ conduct that falls below professional standards.
- Police Reform Act 2002
- This act provides the framework for handling public complaints against police officers and staff. It established the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which oversees serious complaints and misconduct investigations, ensuring independent scrutiny. PSDs liaise with the IOPC for certain cases, such as those involving death, serious injury, or significant public interest.
- Police Act 1996
- Section 39A allows the College of Policing to issue a Code of Ethics as a code of practice, setting out principles and standards of professional behaviour for police officers and staff. The Code of Ethics, developed in 2014, incorporates the The Seven Principles of Public Life also known as the Nolan Principles (e.g., integrity, accountability) plus fairness and respect, guiding PSD operations.
- Section 87 provides for guidance on disciplinary proceedings, ensuring consistency in how PSDs handle misconduct.
- Policing and Crime Act 2017
- This act introduced reforms to the police complaints and disciplinary system, enhancing transparency and accountability. It amended the handling of complaints and misconduct, strengthening the role of PSDs in investigating allegations and ensuring public confidence. Changes include centralized complaints handling and improved vetting processes.
- Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
- This act amended the Police Act 1996 to reinforce the Code of Ethics as a statutory code of practice, ensuring that all police forces adhere to consistent ethical standards. It supports PSDs in maintaining professional behaviour across forces.
- Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020
- These regulations complement the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 by addressing public complaints and other disciplinary matters. They outline procedures for PSDs to record, investigate, and resolve complaints, including mandatory referrals to the IOPC for serious cases.
Check out our articles on Policing by Consent, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Crime Reporting, What is a Police and Crime Commissioner ?, Sussex Police, Policing, Police News, Two Tiered Policing, Thought Police, Wasting Police Time, Police Community Support Officers (PCSO), Met Police, Chief Constable Jo Shiner, R v Sussex Justices and the highly questionable Sussex Family Justice Board.
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Police Professional Standards Department (PSD) was last updated on the 19th June 2025
