Police Misconduct Hearings

A misconduct hearing takes place when it is believed a police officer has breached the standards of professional behaviour.

Police Officer misconduct hearings are governed by legislation which was most recently amended by The Police (Conduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which came into force on 7th May 2024.

Previously, since May 2015, a misconduct hearing was heard by a panel which was led by a Legally Qualified Chair (‘LQC’). A panel would consist of three persons: the Chair (LQC), a police officer of the rank of superintendent or above, and an Independent Panel Member (‘IPM’).

In August 2023, following a review into the process of police officer dismissals, the Government announced a series of reforms to strengthen the police officer disciplinary system.

Since May 2024, a misconduct hearing has been changed, so the panel is no longer chaired by a LQC. Hearings will now be chaired by a Chief Officer (who may delegate as appropriate under the 2024 Regulations).

There will also be 2 IPMs who make up the rest of the panel. Previously, only 1 IPM was required on the panel.

Although there will no longer be a LQC chairing the hearing as part of the decision-making panel, a Legally Qualified Person (‘LQP’) will be appointed to each hearing to support the panel from appointment to conclusion.

In the East Midlands Region, IPMs and LQPs have been recruited regionally. A list is maintained and IPMs and LQPs are appointed to hearings on a rolling programme to maintain fairness and impartiality.

Nature of Cases

A Police Misconduct Hearing (PMH) is convened to hear allegations of misconduct by police officers. The facts will be heard by the panel, including where available, witness testimony and the panel will make a finding. The panel will decide whether the conduct of the police officer concerned amounts to misconduct, gross misconduct or neither and impose any disciplinary action as appropriate.

If the officer is found to have committed gross misconduct the available sanctions are:

• Reflective Practice
• Written warning
• Final written warning
• Dismissal with notice
• Dismissal without notice

The maximum sanction at this hearing would be dismissal from the police service without notice.

For further information regarding Police Misconduct Hearings and forthcoming hearing details, please see Nottinghamshire Police’s website Misconduct hearings | Nottinghamshire Police