Support With Criminal Matters

Should I just wait to see what happens?

police officer support, police staff support We have learned through considerable experience that doing nothing when suspected or charged with a criminal offence is not an option. In the police service you are disadvantaged in a number of ways if suspected or charged with a criminal matter.

You do not have the same rights if you wish to complain about your treatment because of the Police Reform Act. This effectively gives Police Forces and Police Authorities an excuse to legitimately fail to record or investigate your complaint because the legislation refers to a 'Complaint' only being able to be made by a member of the public.

As a Police Officer or a member of Police Staff you do not have a right of appeal to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) whereas, you would be able to if you were not in the Police Service. Even if you leave the police service and the matter you are complaining of relates to a time when you were actually serving you are still not able to make a formal complaint.

When things go wrong we often rely on staff associations and solicitors to help us. One of the more frequent complaints referred to us concerns a lack of any positive action or a fair investigation which may have prevented a client being charged.

Clients are told to wait and see what happens as CPS may decide not to charge them. Are you confident that the investigating officers in your case are also going to disclose to the CPS all the evidence that there may be available in your case including; evidence which may assist you or undermine the prosecution case?

If you are charged, are you confident that a jury would consider your case fairly? Or would they think there is no smoke without fire especially, if your case has been investigated by a Professional Standards Department (PSD) in the Counties or the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) in the Metropolitan Police.

Miscarriages of Justice

These can and do happen to police officers, some examples have been highlighted in our self help pages.

If you have been a victim of a Miscarriage of Justice and need help please complete our appeal questionnaire to arrange a consultation.