Police Appeal Tribunals
Police Appeals Tribunals (PATs) hear appeals against the findings of gross (serious) misconduct brought against serving police officers or special constables. PATs are governed by the Police Appeals Tribunal Rules 2012, which were amended in 2015. The amendments set out what may be published in respect of appeal hearings and allows for them to be held in public.
Members of the public and media can attend PATs as observers but are not allowed to participate in proceedings. The Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire (OPCC) is responsible for appointing the Chairperson who conducts the appeal hearing.
Attending a PAT
Seating at a PAT is usually limited and places will need to be booked in advance, preferably at least 48 hours before an appeal hearing is held. Details of how to do this will be published along with the PAT date. To comply with the rules of attendance, observers are required to provide the following when booking a place:
• Name
• Email address
• Contact telephone number
To book a place at a forthcoming PAT, please either email: lincolnshire-pcc@lincs.pnn.police.uk or telephone 01522 947227.
Full details of the conditions of entry to Police Appeal Tribunals can be read by clicking here.
Upcoming PATs
Details of upcoming appeal hearings will appear here.
Previous PATs
Details of previous appeal hearings will appear here.
POLICE MISCONDUCT HEARINGS
Disciplinary matters involving police officers and special constables are governed by Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012, which were amended in 2015. With effect from 1 May 2015, misconduct hearings were opened to the public and media to attend.
Details of upcoming misconduct hearings will be published with at least five days’ notice on the Lincolnshire Police website. The amended regulations state that police gross (serious) misconduct hearings will be held in public and, from January 2016, presided over by a Legally Qualified Chair (LQC).
The LQC will determine whether a misconduct hearing will be held in public, in private or part public/private and, wherever possible, should state the reasons why.
The OPCC is responsible for appointing and training the LQC and the Independent Member who also sits on the PAT.