Conditions of entry

We demand the highest standards of professionalism, honesty and integrity from our officers and staff. Where those standards are not met, consideration may be given to instigating misconduct proceedings.

These are the conditions of entry members of the public must follow when attending a misconduct hearing.

If you plan to attend a hearing you need to register by the time and date detailed on the hearing notice. Please add the officer's name and the dates you want to attend from our list of upcoming misconduct hearings.

Please confirm if your attendance request is online or in person.

Attending a hearing

Please note the following about attending a hearing:

• You must produce photographic ID (passport or driving licence) and failure to do so will result in exclusion from the hearing (unless prior agreement is sought). This information will only be used to confirm your identity and will be handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act and General Data Protection Regulations.
• If you have not registered to attend in advance of the hearing, admittance will be declined whether in person or online (where this option is available).
• People arriving late may not be allowed entry into the hearing, either in person or online (where this option is available).
• Hearings are held on police premises, and you may be searched before entry to ensure the safety of you and all attendees.
• Anyone who is believed to present a security risk to the force may not be allowed access to police premises.
• You will be provided with a visitor’s badge which must be worn at all times until you leave the hearing for the day, and this must be returned to the reception desk when leaving at the end of each day.
• Travel and attendance are in your own time and at your own expense.
• Parking is available in the designated area.
• Refreshments are not provided, and food and drink are not allowed in the hearing room itself.
• Smoking is not allowed inside the building.
• Electrical devices (phones, tablets, laptops etc) are to be switched off in the hearing facility.
• Photographing and audio/video recording of the hearing, or whilst on the premises, is not permitted.
• Any behaviour that does or is likely to interfere with the proper conduct of proceedings may result in you being required to leave.
• At the discretion of the chair, you may be required to leave part of the hearing, as rules governing the conduct of proceedings allow for all or part of the hearing not to be held in public.
• The chair may impose restrictions on reporting.
• Those under the age of 18 will not be permitted to attend.
• Animals will not be permitted, with the exception of guide dogs and assistance dogs.
• Wherever possible venues will be selected to allow disabled access but this cannot be guaranteed.
• The force reserves the right to decline attendance where numbers are restricted due to venue capacity if in person. The force may also offer places to members of the public who have not previously attended a hearing in favour of those who have already done so.
• Officers and staff of the relevant force will only be permitted to attend on rest days or whilst off duty.
• Persons attending the hearing should familiarise themselves with the location of emergency/fire exits and evacuate the building promptly should the need arise.

Attending a hearing online

Please note the following for attending a hearing virtually:

• You will be asked to provide photo ID (passport and/or driving licence) and a copy of proof of address (for example, a recent utility bill) via email, prior to your attendance. This information will only be used to confirm your identity and will be handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act and General Data Protection Regulations. 
• The link to attend the hearing is not to be shared, as all attending parties MUST be registered to attend. This is for sole use only and no additional parties should be present unless registered. 
• If the online attendee chooses to be identified as anonymous online, they must register in their correct details and identify the anonymous or fabricated name they will login as, so they can be confirmed on the register by the hearing’s organiser. (All fabricated names must be appropriate, or they will not be entered into the hearing.) 
• The online attendee will introduce themselves as an attendee to the hearing organiser who will confirm against their registration. The camera and microphone function will then be disabled by the hearing organiser. 
• The online attendee is not to participate in the hearing, and this includes raising of the hand or any written comments. 
• The online attendee is an observer only and any attempts to interact during the hearing may mean you are removed virtually. 
• Anyone in breach of any of these conditions will either not be allowed virtual entry to the hearing or be removed immediately from the hearing and risk being barred from future hearings.