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Written question asked by Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 February 2026. It was answered by Sarah Jones (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 February 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Police: Disciplinary Proceedings

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 12 of the Police reform white paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing” (CP1489), what plans she has to bring forward legislative proposals for vetting standards to allow police forces to retrospectively suspend police officers under investigation for (a) domestic abuse and (b) sexual offences.

Answer

The recently published police reform White Paper sets out the Government’s plans to further strengthen the police vetting and misconduct systems


These reforms will, for the first time, place police vetting standards into legislation. These new regulations will include robust measures which will enable forces to exclude individuals from policing who have a caution or conviction for relevant violence against women and girls offences, and will be subject to consultation with the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales (PABEW)


Police forces have existing powers to suspend police officers who are subject to an allegation, but must first consider temporary redeployment to alternative duties or location. We will therefore strengthen these arrangements, placing greater requirements on police forces to suspend officers who are under investigation for crimes such as domestic abuse or sexual offences.

Subject to the statutory consultation process, we intend to make these changes this summer.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
110520
Session
2024-26
Related items
From Local to National: A New Model for Policing
Monday, 26 January 2026
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects
Disciplinary proceedings Domestic abuse Police Sexual offences
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk