Misconduct hearings

Following amendments made to the Police Conduct Regulations in May 2015, all police gross misconduct or special case hearings should be held in public. The new legislation aims to improve transparency and accountability within the police service and to ensure public confidence.

In addition, from January 2016, Misconduct Hearings are heard by a panel of three.  They are chaired by a legally qualified chair who is assisted by a senior police officer of Superintendent rank or above and an independent lay person. The facts will be heard by the panel often with the assistance of live witnesses to enable the panel to make a determination. Following further update in 2020, if the officer is found to have committed gross misconduct the available sanctions are:

• Dismissal without notice
• Reduction in rank
• Final Written Warning
• Written warning (only if found guilty of misconduct and not gross misconduct at hearing)

If panel decides conduct amounts to neither misconduct nor gross misconduct, they may direct that the matter is referred to be dealt with under the reflective practice review process.

All misconduct hearings, and special case hearings which are heard by the Chief Constable, will be held in public subject to a decision made by the person chairing the hearing to exclude any person from all or part of the hearing.

Any member of the public or press wishing to attend a misconduct hearing may apply to do so, provided they are 18 and over, but due to limitations on space and capacity, attendance at the hearing must be booked in advance.

Every attendee must agree to comply with the rules of attendance listed below.

Please note that the Chair may also decide to impose other conditions in advance of, or during the hearing. Any additional conditions established prior to the hearing will be noted within the listed hearing.

Purpose of Public Hearing

Misconduct hearings are held to present the facts of the case and allow officers to give an explanation of their conduct and the circumstances surrounding the allegation. Witnesses may also be called to be give evidence.

The purpose of a public hearing is to show that the Police disciplinary system is open and transparent, and will demonstrate that we do hold officers that breach the Standards of Professional Behaviour, or those that are found guilty of misconduct, accountable for their actions.

Notice for Hearing to be held in public

Notices of public hearings will be posted here 5 working days prior to the hearing taking place.

Outcomes

Formal outcomes of misconduct or accelerated misconduct hearings will be published here under outcomes.

Conditions of attendance

Attendance at a hearing must be booked in advance by emailing the Norfolk and Suffolk Professional Standards Department at [email protected].

Spaces at the hearing are limited and will be given to members of the public on a first come first served basis.

Should you be successful in securing a place at the hearing, your place will be confirmed by email.

All members of the public who attend the hearing are required to bring a form of photograph identification.

Member of the public and/or their belongings may be searched.

The taking of photographs and the use of film or sound recording is prohibited.

Restrictions on reporting any details from the proceedings may be imposed by the person chairing the proceedings.

Any expenses for attendance must be met by the applicant, and please note some cases may be cancelled at short notice without being able to notify the applicant.