Independent Panel Members
Until 2008 cases of alleged serious misconduct were heard by Chief Constables, or on their behalf by another senior police officer. From 2008, a misconduct hearing panel of three, comprising a senior police officer and another officer senior in rank to the accused officer, and a lay person, heard such cases.
Since 2012 the panel for each case has comprised three persons: a legally qualified chair (LQC), a senior police officer (usually a Superintendent or Chief Superintendent) and an Independent Panel Member (IPM). Since 2014 police misconduct cases have been heard in public, except where there are special reasons for all or part of a hearing to be in private.
Click on the drop downs below for answers to some commonly asked questions.
The role of an Independent Panel Member is to sit on Police Misconduct Hearing Panels and Police Appeal Tribunals and assist misconduct panels in determining a fair and evidence-based judgement about a particular police officer’s conduct and agreeing an appropriate sanction.
A Police Misconduct Hearing Panel is likely to be convened to hear allegations of serious cases of misconduct by police officers. The most severe outcome at this hearing would be dismissal from the police service without notice. Cases would include for example, allegations of criminal acts, serious road traffic matters such as drink/driving and other serious breaches of the standards of professional behaviour expected of police officers such as neglect of duty.
The aim of the role is to provide reassurance to the community that misconduct matters are properly investigated, and proceedings properly adjudicated, and to ensure that there is an independent and impartial voice on such panels.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate the competencies required for the role:
- Experience of evaluating evidence, or information and making objective, unbiased, thoughtful decisions;
- Excellent communication skills.
The following would be an advantage:
- Some knowledge of personnel practices and of the police service
- Previous experience of how organisations work and how meetings are run, ideally with experience of professional regulations, tribunals, or other legal processes
- Experience of working with disciplinary procedures
There is no upper or lower age limit for candidates for this post (apart from any statutory retirement age for judicial appointments).
The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and criminal record and security vetting checks.
The PCC and Wiltshire Police value diversity and welcome applications from all our communities.
The independence and impartiality of an Independent Panel Member is a fundamental requirement, therefore exclusions apply (please see full job description for details).
The key responsibilities of an IPM include:
- attending and participating effectively in hearings as required.
- preparing for hearings by considering in advance relevant papers, reports, and background information.
- constructively challenging accepted facts and views in these hearings where appropriate.
- attending training offered that is relevant to the role and taking a proactive approach to considering what additional development would be appropriate.
- maintaining high standards of professional conduct and ethics.
The Appointment is for a term of 5 years which may be extended by agreement.
Misconduct cases are triggered by the officer receiving notice of misconduct proceedings. Although cases are unpredictable in nature and frequency, it is estimated an IPM should expect to sit on a panel for 2 - 4 cases per annum with the duration unknown.
Fees and expenses are paid in accordance with the Scheme of Allowances.
The main points are summarised below:
Full day i.e. sittings of more than 4 hours (excluding meal breaks): £211.50
Half day i.e. sittings of 4 hours or less (excluding meal breaks): £104.50
The "fees" rates may be claimed only for sitting on a Misconduct Panel or PAT.
Preparation work fees
A fee may be claimed at the rate of £15.00 for each hour necessarily spent in preparatory work. This fee may, however, only be claimed where it is necessary for the work to be undertaken on a day other than the day on which the hearing takes place, (except that a fee may be claimed even in these circumstances if the hearing fee is paid at the half-day rate).
Travel and expenses are paid according to the Scheme of Allowances for the OPCC.
If you are interested in this role, please email [email protected] requesting a recruitment pack.
Recruitment for these roles will be closed once we have filled the available vacancies therefore we encourage anyone interested to apply as soon as they can.