OpenLegislation

Schedule 2 Standards of professional behaviourI1

England and Wales

  • 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

  • F1Police officers only use force when they honestly believe this to be necessary. The force used should be necessary, proportionate and reasonable.

  • 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.

  • Police officers have a responsibility to give appropriate cooperation during investigations, inquiries and formal proceedings, participating openly and professionally in line with the expectations of a police officer when identified as a witness.

  • 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 in it, whether on or off duty.

  • Police officers report any action taken against them for a criminal offence, any conditions imposed on them 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.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1

Words in Sch. 2 substituted (30.6.2026) by The Police (Conduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/597), regs. 1(1), 2(2) (with reg. 3)

Commencement

I1

Sch. 2 in force at 1.2.2020, see reg. 1