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Mike Veale

Whilst arrangements concerning the establishment of a misconduct hearing are a matter for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), the management of the hearing itself is the responsibility of the independent Legally Qualified Chair (LQC). The LQC must commence the hearing within 100 days of the officer being provided a notice referring them to proceedings, but may extend this period where the LQC considers it is in the interests of justice to do so. Decisions are made entirely independently of PCCs as well as Government.

The Government takes the accountability of the police very seriously and has delivered a number of reforms to strengthen the police disciplinary system. This included additional independence through the introduction of independent Legally Qualified Chairs (LQCs) in 2016. The Government has also recently announced an internal review in the process of police officer dismissals, which it expects to look at the existing model and composition of panels, including the impact of the role of LQCs.

But whilst arrangements concerning the establishment of a misconduct hearing are a matter for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), the management of the hearing itself is the responsibility of the independent LQCs. LQCs must commence a hearing within 100 days of an officer being provided a notice referring them to proceedings, but may extend this period where an LQC considers it is in the interests of justice to do so. Decisions made within a hearing are done so independently of PCCs as well as Government.