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Written question asked by Lord Lexden (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 November 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 November 2022. It was answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 November 2022 on behalf of the Home Office.

Mike Veale

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there are any legal mechanisms to compel the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland to begin the gross misconduct hearing against Mike Veale, former Chief Constable for Cleveland which, when it was announced on 2 August 2021, was described as beginning “shortly”.

Original answer

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 answer was corrected by Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative)

on Thursday, 17 November 2022 on behalf of the Home Office.

Corrected answer

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.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3105
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Disciplinary proceedings Misconduct Cleveland Police Veale, Mike
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk