Consult Federation before IPCC interview, officers told

OFFICERS have been advised to speak to the Police Federation if they are called to an interview with the Independent Police Complaints Commission as a police witness.

As of March 7, the watchdog can now order officers to attend interviews as witnesses when investigating cases involving death or serious injury.

Previously, the IPCC could only order officers  to attend interviews if they were suspected of criminal behaviour or misconduct.

Under the Police (Complaints and Conduct) Regulations 2013, non-attendance without reasonable cause may now in itself amount to misconduct or gross misconduct.

Andy Hastings, Essex Police Federation’s conduct secretary, has advised officers to get in touch with the Police Federation straight away if contacted by the IPCC.

“Officers have the right to take a Police Federation representative or a legal representative to the interview,” he said. “I would advise officers to do this. They might be treated as a witness initially but they may later be treated as a suspect.”

The regulations were fast-tracked through Parliament after fears the IPCC lacked the powers and resources to investigate the Hillsborough disaster. But Mr Hastings said the new powers will be used for other investigations as well.

Despite the new powers, the national Police Federation has said officers are under no obligation to answer questions in IPCC interviews.

In a letter to the regional Fed branch boards, Deputy General Secretary Steve Smith said: “It remains each officer’s right to decide whether to respond by answering questions in interview or by preparing a written statement (to read at interview).

“Whilst the officer could face misconduct proceedings for failing to attend an interview when required to do so, no sanction can be imposed should the officer decide not to answer questions.”