Mr Cunningham said:

"I very much welcome today's draft code of ethics - developed by the College of Policing with strong collaboration from ACPO - and look forward to engaging fully with the consultation.

"Although public confidence in the police has remained stable over the last number of years, recent events have highlighted the need to reinforce that confidence through robust policing policies which ensure that all officers - not just the vast majority - act in an ethical manner.

"The work of Chief Constable Alex Marshall and his team at the College of Policing in developing the draft code is to be applauded and I look forward to the consultation process taking its course and bringing forward a finished product which everyone can have confidence in."