header-logo header-logo

Policing the police

Veronica Cowan reports on a case which is creating uncertainty in police serious misconduct cases
  • Reports on impact of Eckland v Chief Constable of Avon & Somerset.
  • Asks if Legally Qualified Chairs, who hear serious misconduct cases in the police, should have immunity from suit.

As of late I have taken to reading Lynda La Plante crime novels, and if real police officers indulge in some of the antics her fictional ones do, we really should be worried.

But they will, at least, be held to account, and in the UK that is done by Legally Qualified Chairs and Independent Panel Members (LQCs and IPMs), who are appointed by Police and Crime Commissioners, to serve on police misconduct hearing panels. When police authorities chaired these panels, the process was perceived as the police judging the police. This is an important constitutional step, and the stakes are high, because a police officer accused of gross misconduct is at risk of dismissal. To sit on a panel, individuals must satisfy the judicial-appointment

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll