What types of incident does the IOPC investigate?

The IOPC investigates: deaths and serious injuries following police contact, serious complaints (e.g. allegations of assault, corruption, sexual misconduct, racial discrimination), and conduct matters mandatory-referred by forces under Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act 2002. Less serious complaints are typically handled by force Professional Standards Departments (PSDs) with IOPC oversight.

What are the four investigation modes?

(1) IOPC Independent Investigation — investigators employed by the IOPC. (2) Directed Investigation — carried out by force PSD but under IOPC direction. (3) Managed Investigation — by force PSD with IOPC oversight at a lower intensity. (4) Local Investigation — by force PSD without IOPC involvement. Mode selection depends on seriousness, public interest and Schedule 3 criteria.

What are my rights as a subject officer in an IOPC investigation?

You have the right to be informed you are under investigation (Regulation 17 notice / Schedule 3 paragraph 19 notification), the right to Federation representation, the right to a written summary of the allegations, and the right to silence (subject to professional standards considerations). Do not give any statement or interview without Federation representation present.

How long do IOPC investigations take?

Independent investigations average around 9–12 months but the most complex cases can take 18+ months. Forces are required to provide updates to complainants and subject officers at defined intervals (initially every 28 days). Delays are common; the IOPC publishes annual performance data.

What outcomes are possible?

Outcomes include: no case to answer, learning recommendations, misconduct meetings (where breach is found but not gross misconduct), gross misconduct hearings (which can result in dismissal), and — in the most serious cases — criminal referrals to the CPS. The IOPC publishes outcome decisions on its website.

IOPC Investigations Explained

What an IOPC investigation actually involves: modes, referral criteria, subject-officer rights, timelines, outcomes. Independent — not legal advice.

Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).

If you are a subject officer in an IOPC investigation — speak to your Federation rep before any statement or interview.

The Federation provides legal representation for members under investigation. Do not attend any IOPC interview, give any account, or sign any document without Federation representation in place. See our Federation representation guide.

Reviewed by the BlueLineHub Editorial Team

Last reviewed: 29 May 2026 · Next review due: 29 November 2026

What is an IOPC investigation?

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation is the statutory process for examining the most serious complaints, conduct matters and incidents involving the police in England and Wales — typically deaths or serious injuries following police contact, serious assaults, sexual misconduct, corruption and discrimination. There are four modes (Independent, Directed, Managed, Local) and a typical independent investigation takes around 9–12 months. Subject officers are entitled to written notice of the allegations, Federation legal representation throughout, and the right to make representations on the report before it is finalised. This page is an independent explainer; if you are a subject officer, contact your Federation representative before any statement.

What the IOPC is

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is the statutory oversight body for the police-complaints system in England and Wales. Created in 2018 (replacing the IPCC), the IOPC is independent of forces, government and the Police Federation. It investigates the most serious incidents involving the police — typically deaths and serious injuries following police contact, serious complaints, and conduct matters that forces are required to refer to it under Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act 2002.

The four investigation modes

Not every IOPC-referred matter results in an independent investigation. The IOPC selects from four modes:

IOPC Independent Investigation — investigators employed by the IOPC carry out the work end-to-end. Used for the most serious cases (e.g. deaths following police contact, allegations of serious police corruption).
Directed Investigation — carried out by the force's PSD, but with the IOPC directing terms of reference, lines of enquiry and key decisions.
Managed Investigation — carried out by force PSD with lighter IOPC oversight.
Local Investigation — carried out by force PSD without IOPC involvement.

Mode selection is documented in the IOPC's decision rationale and can be reviewed if a complainant or subject officer believes it was wrong.

When forces must refer to the IOPC

Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act 2002 makes referral mandatory for certain categories: deaths or serious injuries following contact, serious assaults, serious sexual offences, serious corruption, criminal offences aggravated by discrimination, and other matters specified in regulations. Forces also refer cases that, while not mandatory, are likely to be in the public interest for the IOPC to oversee.

Your rights as a subject officer

To be informed in writing that you are under investigation, by a Regulation 17 notice (under the Conduct Regulations 2020) or a Schedule 3 paragraph 19 notification (under the Police Reform Act).
To Federation legal representation throughout. The Federation member-fund covers solicitors' fees in qualifying cases.
To a written summary of the allegations and the evidence relied on, sufficient to understand the case.
To remain silent — but be aware that under the professional standards, failing to give an account in misconduct proceedings can be considered when assessing your conduct. Federation legal advice is essential before deciding.
To be treated with dignity and to have welfare support throughout.
To make representations on the IOPC's investigation report before it is finalised.
To appeal certain decisions in the misconduct process to the Police Appeals Tribunal.

Typical timeline

Day 1–7: incident occurs; force refers to the IOPC; IOPC selects investigation mode.
Week 2–4: subject officers receive Regulation 17 notice; Federation representation appointed.
Month 1–3: evidence gathering — body-worn video, CCTV, civilian witnesses, scene examination, expert reports.
Month 3–9: subject officer accounts (interview / written), expert reports, intermediate updates to complainants and subject officers every 28 days.
Month 9–12: investigation report drafted; representations from subject officers; report finalised.
Month 12+: outcome decision — no case to answer / learning recommendations / misconduct meeting / gross misconduct hearing / criminal referral to CPS.

These are averages — particularly serious or complex cases can take 18+ months. The IOPC publishes annual data on investigation times.

Possible outcomes

No case to answer: the investigation finds no evidence of misconduct.
Learning recommendation: organisational or individual learning identified, no formal sanction.
Misconduct meeting: where the breach falls short of gross misconduct. Outcomes range from management advice to written warning.
Gross misconduct hearing: held by a Legally Qualified Chair (LQC). Outcomes include written warning, final written warning, reduction in rank, or dismissal without notice.
Criminal referral: the most serious cases may be referred to the CPS for a criminal-charging decision in parallel with — or instead of — misconduct proceedings.

Official IOPC sources

BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.

IOPC — A guide to IOPC independent investigations
The IOPC's authoritative explainer of how independent investigations work.
Last checked: May 2026
Verify on official source
IOPC — Information for officers under investigation
Direct guidance for subject officers.
Last checked: May 2026
Verify on official source
Police Reform Act 2002, Schedule 3
Statutory framework for police-complaints handling and IOPC referrals.
Last checked: May 2026
Verify on official source
Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020
The current Conduct Regulations governing misconduct proceedings.
Last checked: May 2026
Verify on official source
PFEW — Legal Assistance & Conduct
Federation member-facing guidance on representation during IOPC investigations.
Last checked: May 2026
Verify on official source

Frequently asked

What is the IOPC?: The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is the statutory body that oversees the police-complaints system in England and Wales and investigates the most serious incidents involving the police. It replaced the IPCC in 2018. It is independent of police forces, government and the Police Federation, and reports to the Home Office.
What types of incident does the IOPC investigate?: The IOPC investigates: deaths and serious injuries following police contact, serious complaints (e.g. allegations of assault, corruption, sexual misconduct, racial discrimination), and conduct matters mandatory-referred by forces under Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act 2002. Less serious complaints are typically handled by force Professional Standards Departments (PSDs) with IOPC oversight.
What are the four investigation modes?: (1) IOPC Independent Investigation — investigators employed by the IOPC. (2) Directed Investigation — carried out by force PSD but under IOPC direction. (3) Managed Investigation — by force PSD with IOPC oversight at a lower intensity. (4) Local Investigation — by force PSD without IOPC involvement. Mode selection depends on seriousness, public interest and Schedule 3 criteria.
What are my rights as a subject officer in an IOPC investigation?: You have the right to be informed you are under investigation (Regulation 17 notice / Schedule 3 paragraph 19 notification), the right to Federation representation, the right to a written summary of the allegations, and the right to silence (subject to professional standards considerations). Do not give any statement or interview without Federation representation present.
How long do IOPC investigations take?: Independent investigations average around 9–12 months but the most complex cases can take 18+ months. Forces are required to provide updates to complainants and subject officers at defined intervals (initially every 28 days). Delays are common; the IOPC publishes annual performance data.
What outcomes are possible?: Outcomes include: no case to answer, learning recommendations, misconduct meetings (where breach is found but not gross misconduct), gross misconduct hearings (which can result in dismissal), and — in the most serious cases — criminal referrals to the CPS. The IOPC publishes outcome decisions on its website.