Thematic areas for case to answer decisions 2023/24
Of the 377 police officers/staff (excluding PCCs) whose conduct was investigated in 2023/24, 148 were involved in an investigation related to one of the thematic areas.
Data on thematic areas is not provided for the outcomes of proceedings in this report. This is because many of the investigations involved in those outcomes predate the use of thematic areas.
In April 2023, we introduced violence against women and girls as a new thematic area and added this to our case selection. As a result, some cases completed during the 2023/24 financial year may not have been classified under this theme because they were started before its introduction.
This report shows the following as separate categories: domestic abuse, abuse of power for sexual purpose, and violence against women and girls. Although there is crossover between these terms, they are distinct thematic areas used at different times and with their own criteria for selecting cases.
Of the 186 police officers/staff found to have a case to answer for misconduct or gross misconduct during 2023/24, 73 were involved in thematic investigations. It is important to note that this does not necessarily mean the misconduct identified was directly related to the thematic area under which the investigation was categorised.
Figure 9: All subjects - thematic areas 2023/24
Figure 10: Thematic breakdown, gross misconduct, misconduct, and no case to answer
| Gross misconduct | Misconduct | No case to answer | |
| APSP | 19 | 1 | 4 |
| Race discrimination | 26 | 11 | 37 |
| Domestic abuse | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| Mental health | 0 | 2 | 17 |
| RTI | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| VAWG | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Core | 65 | 48 | 116 |
- Of the 118 people who had a case to answer for gross misconduct, 55% (118) were part of a core investigation. 16% (19) were part of an investigation relating to APSP, comprising 79% of the 24 people who were part of APSP related investigations.
- Of the 68 people who had a case to answer for misconduct, 71% (48) were core investigations. 16% (11) were involved in investigations related to race discrimination.
- Of the 191 people who did not have a case to answer, 61% (116) were involved in core investigations. 19% (37) were involved in investigations related to race discrimination, making up 50% of all people with a case to answer decision for an investigation related to this area. Further action was taken for 41% (15) of those people.
Where there is no case to answer, there may still be learning recommendations for the relevant appropriate authority.