Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to section 29 of the Police Reform Act 2002, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to enable former police officers and staff to make complaints to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The police complaints system is for the public to express dissatisfaction about their interaction with the police. Former officers and staff can use this system with some limited exceptions if the conduct concerned took place whilst they were serving with the police. Serving police officers and staff are encouraged to raise concerns relating to their force through the relevant channels, including through whistle-blowing hotlines.

The Government is introducing reforms through the Policing and Crime Bill to strengthen protections for police whistle-blowers, creating a new power for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to investigate concerns raised by police whistle-blowers without disclosing their identity (subject to limited exceptions). Both serving and former officers will be able to raise matters with the IPCC under this new legislation.