ABSTRACT
As a result of a complaint, a police officer may be subject to dismissal from the force, be required to resign or be reduced in rank. These (and other sanctions) may also apply in consequence of other misconduct where this is identified by a person within the police service or where the officer’s performance of his or her duties is unsatisfactory. In either case, such sanctions are made as a result of a conduct or inefficiency hearing, followed by a review on the part of the relevant chief officer. A police officer may then appeal against any of the three specific sanctions listed above to the new Police Appeals Tribunal, which replaces the earlier system whereby police officers could appeal to the Home Secretary. This body has a slightly different composition depending upon whether the appellant is a senior officer or not. The common ground is that there must always be a legally qualified chairperson and a member of a police authority. On the conclusion of the proceedings, the Police Appeals Tribunal will either uphold the original decision or make an order which is less severe than the original decision. The rules governing the overall structure of the Police Appeals Tribunal are to be found under s 85 and Sched 6 to the 1996 Act and detailed provisions in respect of the procedures involved are contained in the Police Appeals Tribunals Rules 1999.
