{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-reform-act-2002/schedule-3/paragraph-23",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-reform-act-2002/schedule-3/paragraph-23.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2002/30",
  "legislation_title": "Police Reform Act 2002",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/police-reform-act-2002",
  "path": "schedule/3/paragraph/23",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "23",
  "heading": null,
  "text": "(1) This paragraph applies where—\n(a) a report on an investigation carried out under the direction of the Director General is submitted to the Director Genera under sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 22; or\n(b) a report on an investigation carried out by a person designated by the Director General is submitted to the Director General , or is otherwise completed, under sub-paragraph (5) of that paragraph.\n(1A) But if, following the submission or completion of such a report, the Director General determines under section 13B that the complaint or recordable conduct matter is to be re-investigated the provisions of this paragraph other than sub-paragraph (2)(a) (read with sub-paragraph (2ZA)) do not apply, or cease to apply, in relation to that report.\n(2) On receipt of the report (or on its completion by the Director General), the Director General—\n(a) if it appears that the appropriate authority has not already been sent a copy of the report, shall send a copy of the report to that authority;\n(b) shall determine whether the conditions set out in sub-paragraphs (2A) and (2B) are satisfied in respect of the report;\n(c) if the Director General determines that those conditions are so satisfied, shall notify the Director of Public Prosecutions of the determination and send him a copy of the report; and\n(d) shall notify the appropriate authority and the persons mentioned in sub-paragraph (5) of the Director General's determination under paragraph (b) and of any action taken by the Director General under paragraph (c).\n(2ZA) Where the Director General would contravene section 21A by sending a copy of a report in its entirety to the appropriate authority under sub-paragraph (2)(a) or to the Director of Public Prosecutions under sub-paragraph (2)(c), the Director General must instead send a copy of the report after having removed or obscured the information which by virtue of section 21A the Director General must not disclose.\n(2A) The first condition is that the report indicates that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for a criminal offence against a person (if any) to whose conduct the investigation related.\n(2B) The second condition is that—\n(a) the circumstances are such that, in the opinion of the Director General, it is appropriate for the matters dealt with in the report to be considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions, or\n(b) any matters dealt with in the report fall within any prescribed category of matters.\n(2C) For the purpose of sub-paragraph (2B)(a), the circumstances where the Director General may form the opinion that it is not appropriate for the matters dealt with in the report to be considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions include circumstances where, in the opinion of the Director General, it is not in the public interest for the matters dealt with in the report to be considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions.\n(2D) In determining whether the conditions set out in sub-paragraphs (2A) and (2B) are satisfied in respect of the report, the Director General must have regard to the Code for Crown Prosecutors issued under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (insofar as the Director General considers it to be relevant).\n(3) The Director of Public Prosecutions shall notify the Director General of any decision of his to take, or not to take, action in respect of the matters dealt with in any report a copy of which has been sent to him under sub-paragraph (2)(c).\n(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(5) The persons are—\n(a) in the case of a complaint, the complainant and every person entitled to be kept properly informed in relation to the complaint under section 21; and\n(b) in the case of a recordable conduct matter, every person entitled to be kept properly informed in relation to that matter under that section.\n(5A) On receipt of the report (or on its completion by the Director General), the Director General shall also—\n(a) seek the views of the appropriate authority on—\n(i) whether any person to whose conduct the investigation related has a case to answer in respect of misconduct or gross misconduct or has no case to answer,\n(ii) whether or not any such person's performance is unsatisfactory, and\n(iii) the other matters (if any) dealt with in the report (but not on whether the conditions in sub-paragraphs (2A) and (2B) are satisfied in respect of the report),\n(b) having considered the views (if any) of the appropriate authority, make a determination as to—\n(i) the matters described in paragraph (a)(i) and (ii), and\n(ii) whether or not disciplinary proceedings should be brought against any person to whose conduct the investigation related and, if so, what form the disciplinary proceedings should take,\n(c) having considered the views (if any) of the appropriate authority and if the Director General considers it appropriate to do so, make a determination as to any matter dealt with in the report, being a determination other than one that the Director General is required to make under sub-paragraph (2)(b) or paragraph (b) of this sub-paragraph,\n(d) notify the appropriate authority of the Director General's determination under paragraph (b) and any determination under paragraph (c),\n(e) where the Director General determines that disciplinary proceedings of a form specified in the determination should be brought against a person, direct the appropriate authority to bring those proceedings, and\n(f) direct the appropriate authority to determine what action (if any) the appropriate authority will in its discretion take, not being action involving the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, in respect of the matters dealt with in the report and having regard to the Director General's determination under paragraph (b) and any determination under paragraph (c).\n(5B) The appropriate authority must comply with a direction given under sub-paragraph (5A)(e) and must secure that the proceedings, once brought, are proceeded with to a proper conclusion.\n(5C) The Director General may at any time withdraw a direction given under sub-paragraph (5A)(e); and sub-paragraph (5B) shall not impose any obligation in relation to any time after the withdrawal of the direction.\n(5D) The appropriate authority must keep the Director General informed of the action it takes in response to a direction given under sub-paragraph (5A)(e).\n(5E) The appropriate authority must comply with the direction given under sub-paragraph (5A)(f) and must notify the Director General of the determination it makes.\n(5F) On receipt of the report (or on its completion by the Director General), where it is a report of an investigation of a complaint, the Director General may also make a recommendation under paragraph 28ZA.\n(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(13) In relation to a DSI matter in respect of which a determination has been made under paragraph 21A(2) , (2A) , (2B) or (4), the references in this paragraph to the appropriate authority are references to the appropriate authority in relation to the person whose conduct is in question.",
  "extent": "E+W",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Word in Sch. 3 para. 23(1)(a) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(h)(viii); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(2) (with Sch. 9 para. 56(6)); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(4) (with Sch. 9 para. 56(6)); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Word in Sch. 3 para. 23(1)(a) substituted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 22(2)(a); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(1)(b) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(a); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "Word in Sch. 3 para. 23(1)(b) substituted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 22(2)(b); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F7",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(1A) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 18(3), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(f) (with art. 3(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F8",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(1A) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(b); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F9",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(1A) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 19(3)(c)(i), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(g) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F10",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(2) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(c)(i); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F11",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(2)(b) substituted (1.12.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 13(2)(a) (with s. 14(1)); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(i)(i) (subject to art. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F12",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(2)(c) substituted (1.12.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 13(2)(b) (with s. 14(1)); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(i)(i) (subject to art. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F13",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(2)(d) inserted (1.12.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 13(2)(c) (with s. 14(1)); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(i)(i) (subject to art. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F14",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(5) (with Sch. 9 para. 56(6)); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F15",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(2ZA) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 19(3)(c)(ii), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(g) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F16",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(2A) substituted (29.10.2026) by Crime and Policing Act 2026 (c. 20), ss. 198(1)(a), 255(1) (with s. 198(4)); S.I. 2026/960, reg. 5(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F17",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(2A)(2B) inserted (1.12.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 13(3) (with s. 14(1)); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(i)(i) (subject to art. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F18",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(2C)(2D) inserted (29.10.2026) by Crime and Policing Act 2026 (c. 20), ss. 198(1)(b), 255(1) (with s. 198(4)); S.I. 2026/960, reg. 5(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F19",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(4) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 15(9)(a), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(c) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F20",
      "text": "Word in Sch. 3 para. 23(5) substituted (1.12.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 127, 153, Sch. 23 para. 13(4) (with s. 14(1)); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(1)(i)(i) (subject to art. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F21",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(5A)-(5F) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 26(2); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F22",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(5A) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(c)(ii); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F23",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(3) (with Sch. 9 para. 56(6)); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F24",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(5F) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(c)(iii); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F25",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(6)-(8) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 26(3); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F26",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(9)-(12) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 15(9)(a), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(c) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F27",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23(13) inserted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 160, 178, Sch. 12 para. 22(3); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(w)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F28",
      "text": "Word in Sch. 3 para. 23(13) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.2.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 5 para. 47(h)(ix); S.I. 2020/5, reg. 2(n) (with art. 3(1)(2)(4))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F29",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 23(13) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 8.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 9 para. 56(16)(c)(iv); S.I. 2017/1249, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23 applied (with modifications) (28.12.2005) by virtue of The Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3311), reg. 3(4)(6), Sch. 3"
    },
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I1",
      "text": "Sch. 3 para. 23 wholly in force at 1.4.2004; Sch. 3 para. 23 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 108(2); Sch. 3 para. 23 in force for specified purposes at 1.10.2002 by S.I. 2002/2306, art. 4(e); Sch. 3 para. 23 in force in so far as not already in force at 1.4.2004 by S.I. 2004/913, art. 2(d)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/30/schedule/3/paragraph/23",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-31T10:30:50.998378+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}