English and Welsh Police Law Explained
Sep 8, 2026 · 19 min · 10 segments
This episode explains the offence of serious wilful abuse or neglect of the power or responsibilities of the public office held. CPS guidance on this offence can be found at…
Misconduct in a public office As this is a common law offence, the meaning of misconduct in a public office has adapted over time.
However, in 2003, the elements of the offence were summarised as When acting as a public officer, a person willfully neglects to perform their duty and or willfully misconducts themselves to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public's trust in the officeholder.
without reasonable excuse or justification.
Simply put, when a public officer doesn't do their duty or willfully acts in such a way that it's seen as an abuse of the public's trust.
So let's look further at what a public officer is and how far their willful misconduct has to go.
Misconduct in a public office As this is a common law offence, the meaning of misconduct in a public office has adapted over time.
However, in 2003, the elements of the offence were summarised as When acting as a public officer, a person willfully neglects to perform their duty and or willfully misconducts themselves to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public's trust in the officeholder.
without reasonable excuse or justification.
Simply put, when a public officer doesn't do their duty or willfully acts in such a way that it's seen as an abuse of the public's trust.
So let's look further at what a public officer is and how far their willful misconduct has to go.
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