Legislation.gov.uk has published the Police (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1274), which amend the Police Regulations 2003 for England and Wales. The instrument was made on 4 December 2025, laid on 8 December, and comes into force on 29 December. For matters within section 50(2ZC) of the Police Act 1996, the College of Policing approved the text. Under section 52A, the Secretary of State did not seek SSRB or PRRB advice given the nature of these changes.
Regulation 5 is amended to remove the duty on chief officers to consult local representatives before appointing a person on a part‑time basis, and confirms equal treatment for probation and overtime between part‑time and full‑time members.
Drafters have also revisited annual leave. Under regulation 33(2)(b) as currently drafted, chief officers may allow leave “as a single period, or as single days, or in periods of more than one day or as half days”.
The amendment replaces references to “days” with “periods” and swaps “single days” for “a number of different periods”, allowing leave to be booked in any length of time, including hours or parts of a shift where policy permits.
Forces should plan system and policy updates so duty management, payroll and HR platforms can record leave in time‑based periods. This supports flexible working patterns and split‑shift arrangements while retaining clear audit trails for recall compensation and time‑off in lieu.
With the statutory local consultation step removed on part‑time appointments, decision‑making may accelerate. Forces should document criteria for approving part‑time service and maintain engagement with staff associations to manage rostering impacts and fairness, while recognising the regulation no longer makes consultation a condition.
Equal treatment for probation and overtime reduces ambiguity over progression and pay for officers working reduced hours. Policies should state how probation milestones are calculated for part‑time service and ensure overtime thresholds, premiums and compensatory rest are applied consistently on a pro‑rated basis.
The amendment does not change overall leave entitlements, which are set by Secretary of State determinations under regulation 33, and remain subject to the exigencies of duty. Recall from annual leave continues to attract compensation in line with existing determinations.
Scope and timing are straightforward: the Regulations extend to England and Wales and commence on 29 December 2025; the instrument records College of Policing approval for the relevant text.
Ahead of commencement, HR leads should review local policies, intranet guidance and training for references to “days” that now need to read “periods”, brief supervisors on authorising leave in hours, and ensure rosters for late December and January reflect the new measurement.
In summary, SI 2025/1274 simplifies part‑time appointments and enables time‑based leave booking from 29 December 2025.