Criminal allegations made against the police
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This CPS prosecution guidance addresses the handling of criminal allegations made against police officers and certain individuals affiliated with police services. It outlines the roles of investigative bodies, case handling principles, and the decision-making process regarding prosecutions. Special considerations for serious offences and public interest factors are discussed throughout the document.
Key points
- Guidance covers allegations against police officers and related personnel.
- CPS decides on prosecutions based on evidential sufficiency and public interest.
- Serious allegations typically handled by Special Crime Division (SCD).
- Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) oversees police investigations.
- Complaints involving serious misconduct must be referred to the IOPC.
- Disciplinary actions are governed by the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020.
Public-interest factors
- Public confidence in the police
- Nature and severity of the allegation
- Impact on the community
- Public interest in maintaining police accountability
- Circumstances of the case
- Seriousness of the offence
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.