Conduct procedures for police officers are changing nationally and should become live in November 2008 (subject to change).
The planned changes should benefit both police officers and members of the public, with the emphasis being on learning and development, rather than blame and punishment. All police officers and special constables will be subject to the new procedures, which promise greater transparency and less bureaucracy.

Why Change?
The changes have come about following the outcome of several high profile misconduct investigations conducted by the Metropolitan Police in 2003. A review was carried out by Sir William Morris and his report published in December 2004 recommended fundamental changes to the conduct of internal police investigations.
The Home Office then commissioned William Taylor to carry out a review of the police disciplinary arrangements. This included public consultation which showed that members of the public wanted a greater emphasis on learning and development so that the same mistakes and poor levels of service were not repeated time and time again. In his report published in January 2005 Mr Taylor made numerous recommendations which now form the basis of the changes to the Police (Conduct) Regulations and the introduction of new Standards of Professional Behaviour.

The Police Standards of Professional Behaviour
The new Standards of Professional Behaviour replace the current Police Code of Conduct. The standards reflect the expectations of the police service and the public as to how police officers should act whether on or off duty.
One major change is that the inclusion of a positive duty on all officers to challenge and report improper conduct.
Although the standards may be subject to change until the official implementation date, they currently stand as follows:

Honesty and Integrity

• Police officers are honest, act with integrity and do not compromise or abuse their position.

Authority, Respect and Courtesy

• Police officers act with self control and tolerance, treating members of the public and colleagues with respect and courtesy.
  Police officers do not abuse their powers or authority and respect the rights of all individuals.

Equality and Diversity

• Police officers act with fairness and impartiality. They do not discriminate unlawfully or unfairly.

Use of Force

• Police officers only use force to the extent that it is necessary, proportionate and reasonable in all the circumstances.
  

Orders and Instructions

• Police officers only give and carry out lawful orders and instructions.
• Police officers abide by police regulations, force policies and lawful orders.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Police officers are diligent in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities.
  

Confidentiality

• Police officers treat information with respect and access or disclose it only in the proper course of police duties.
  

Fitness for Duty

• Police officers when on duty or presenting themselves for duty are fit to carry out their responsibilities.
  

Discreditable Conduct

• Police officers behave in a manner which does not discredit the police service or undermine public confidence, whether on or off duty.
  
• Police officers report any action taken against them for a criminal offence, conditions imposed by a court or the receipt of any penalty notice.
  
• Challenging and Reporting Improper Conduct
  
• Police officers report, challenge or take action against the conduct of colleagues which
• has fallen below the Standards of Professional Behaviour.

The Police (Conduct) Regulations

• The overall aims of the new Police (Conduct) Regulations are:
  
• To ensure the confidence of the public and police officers by openness, fairness, proportionality, early intervention and timely investigation.
  
• To give ownership to local police managers to deal with low levels of misconduct.
  
• To promote a culture of learning and development rather than blame and punishment.

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