New conduct lead welcomes change to regulations

Cheshire Police Federation’s conduct and performance lead says the new conduct regulations will cut the ‘turmoil and stress’ officers endured under the old procedures.

Dave Howard says the new regulations are ‘a major change in practice’ which should simplify the process and reduce timescales.

“The introduction of the new conduct regulations really could not have come at a better time on a personal level,” said Dave, “It happened to coincide with my appointment to this new full-time role.

“I’ve inherited jobs under the old regulations that are being managed and dealt with, but the new regulations should simplify the process and shorten the timescales.

“It may even mean some conduct issues do not have to go through the procedures that have caused so much turmoil and stress for officers in the past.

“The new regulations have brought about a major change in practice. We now have reflective practice which is the lowest end of the misconduct scale and is replacing management action.

“It’s designed to give officers and line managers an opportunity to discuss where things have gone wrong and look for ways of addressing issues.

“It should not be treated as a disciplinary matter or process. It will have been originally referred to PSD which, along with line managers, will have decided that the best course of action is not to take any disciplinary action.

“Further advice is always available and line managers should now have had the necessary training. I am available for advice as are local Fed reps at stations and within Force departments.

“Misconduct and gross misconduct allegations remain the same. However, the bar for severity assessments has been raised and the desire is for open and transparent process, being clear for us all to see,” he added.

Dave said that any officer facing an allegation or investigation will have the Federation’s support and the best advice, guidance and welfare support.

“It’s important to remember if you are suspected of committing an offence then you’re entitled to the same legal protection that PACE provides to every other suspect,” he said, “Nothing changes because you’re a police officer.

“We do have testing times ahead with a variety of issues from officers in new roles, new conduct regulations, reflective practice and coronavirus but we’re in a pretty good place in terms of the review of incidents and allegations brought before Cheshire officers.

“We all have a part to play and if we act and carry out our duty to the best of our abilities, in line with the Code of Ethics and Force policies, we won’t go far wrong.”

Dave, whose father Steve was also a police officer, began policing in 2000 and his first posting was in Crewe. Previous roles include Crewe Police Station, B Block response, West End Police Station at Leighton Hospital, Nantwich Police Station beat management, the demand management unit, integrated offender management, football spotting for Crewe Alexandra and Macclesfield Town, deployments for the Olympics in 2012 and a deployment as part of the Euro 2016 investigation team.

“I now find myself in a job that I didn’t even know existed when I first joined,” he said.

“The new regulations have brought about a major change in practice. We now have reflective practice which is the lowest end of the misconduct scale and is replacing management action”

He became a Federation workplace rep at Crewe in 2013, and says the Federation has a good relationship with the Professional Standards Department (PSD).

“The reality is that we all have the Code of Ethics to adhere to,” he said, “That links in with the new Police Conduct Regulations 2020 and, from what I have witnessed first-hand, a very considerate and proportionate PSD.

“I believe we’re in a very good position with the relationship in place between the Federation and PSD. I see absolutely no reason for this to change. When I speak with other forces, the relationships are not so good.”

Dave, who is also the Federation branch vice-chair and treasurer, added: “The new role is an interesting and, at times, mind-boggling with queries that had not even crossed my mind.

“I’ve quickly developed strong relations with professional standards, senior members of our Force and those who do the same role in other forces; all vital for my own development and the protection of our members.”

If you have any concerns about conduct-related issues, reflective practice or unsatisfactory performance procedures please get in touch with Dave or your local Federation rep. Under the new conduct regulations, misconduct and gross misconduct allegations remain the same. However, the bar for severity assessments has been raised and the desire is for open and transparent process, being clear for all to see.