Retrospective Investigations

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.21.022285

I note you seek access to the following information:

Q1. Apart from the Coronavirus Regulations what other areas of the criminal law are subject of a policy which prohibits retrospective investigations?

Q2. At what level within the Met are policies relating to not undertaking retrospective investigations made?

Q3. What is the Met's policy with regard to retrospective investigations of Misconduct in Public Office?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Apart from the Coronavirus Regulations what other areas of the criminal law are subject of a policy which prohibits retrospective investigations?

Any crime is subject to review and retrospective investigation.

The MPS does not hold information on a policy of not promptly investigating allegations of Covid Crime as this is not the MPS policy. The MPS guidelines on when the MPS would investigate breaches of the Regulations when they have been reported long after they are said to have taken place is outlined in the Commissioner’s statement at the Police and Crime Committee on 25th January. This is available at the following link 2.

Q2 - At what level within the Met are policies relating to not undertaking retrospective investigations made?
Q3 - What is the Met's policy with regard to retrospective investigations of Misconduct in Public Office?

In order to answer questions 2 and 3 regarding policy on retrospective investigations, I refer to the Commissioner’s opening statement at the Police and Crime Committee.

1. Commissioner’s statement on 25 January: https://resources.mynewsdesk.com/image/upload/fl_attachment/jkw5qkt5uiwfwesowxeo