Recommendation - Metropolitan Police Service, July 2025

The IOPC recommends that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) should develop guidance or policy for officers which clearly sets out expectations about when officers should carry their warrant card and the need to be able to identify themselves if they exercise police powers when not in uniform and on duty.

This recommendation is a result of an investigation into a complaint review, where an officer, on their lunch break, effected an arrest of a member of the public who had sustained injuries without presenting a warrant card.

During the review of the investigation, it was identified that the MPS does not have guidance in relation to how officers should identify themselves whilst executing their police capacity whilst off duty. We are aware that some police forces have policies setting out their expectations in relation to this. This recommendation would assist members of the public in understanding the legitimate use of police powers when officers are operating in their police capacity whilst off duty.

Accepted

The MPS has considered and accepts the IOPC’s recommendation. Following a review into our existing policies and relevant legislation, we believe this is best placed to be an amendment to the MPS Dress Code Policy, where it will cover both on and off duty carriage of warrant cards.

This addition requires approval from the Uniform and Appearance Board prior to integration into the policy, as well as consultation with internal and external partners. An early draft of the currently proposed new section ‘Identity and Warrant cards’ is below:

'Warrant cards (police officers)

All police officers, including special constables, with the exception of covert officers, must be in possession of their warrant cards at all times whilst on duty. This includes the period of time travelling to and from their place of duty and any time engaged in hybrid working away from the normal place of work.

Whilst officers cannot be compelled to carry their warrant cards off-duty, they should bear in mind that they may be required to prove their identity when exercising police powers in an off-duty capacity. They are also required to be in possession of their warrant card when utilising their work issued TfL oyster card or rail travel scheme card.

Identity cards (police staff)

Police staff passes/identity cards should be carried at all times whilst on duty or on police premises.

Contractors

Depending on the role, contractors may be escorted or unescorted whilst on police premises. In either case they must wear their photo identification whilst on police premises.

Display on police premises

Whilst on police premises all police officers, police staff and contractors are required to wear their ID or warrant cards for identification and security purposes.

All individuals must challenge any individual not showing visible identification who is on or entering police premises.’