Introduction
Police Appeals Tribunals (PATs) hear appeals against the findings of gross (serious) misconduct brought by police officers or special constables. PATs are currently governed by Police Appeals Tribunal Rules 2020.
Any member of the public or press wishing to attend the PAT may do so however due to limitations on space and capacity, attendance at the hearing will be administered and booked by application through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire (OPCC). The OPCC can be contacted at opcc@warwickshire.police.uk regarding attending the PAT.
The regulations state that the Chair may also impose further conditions of entry in addition to those set out in this document. If this arises the further conditions will be published on the website prior to the hearing.
Procedures of a Public Hearing
Notice of a public hearing will be made not less than 5 working days prior to the hearing. Should the hearing, or part of the hearing be in private, reasons will be given and published. Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the Chair will decide whether to public a notice which may contain:
- Name of the officer concerned
- Alleged conduct of the officer
- Finding of the misconduct panel
- Outcome of the misconduct panel
- Decision of the Police Appeals Tribunal
Please note: If you are a witness to a hearing, you will not be eligible for a public seat.
There may be occasions when a hearing is cancelled at short notice
If the Chair decides that the evidence to be given by a witness or any other person should not be disclosed in public, an explanation will be given, and the public will be excused whilst they give the evidence.
Start Times
You are advised to check the OPCC website the evening before to confirm the start time for the PAT. We request that members of the public should arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the commencement of proceedings to allow time to be signed in.
Entry will not be permitted once the hearing is in session.
Adjournments
During the hearing, it may be necessary for the hearing to be adjourned. The Chair will announce the reason for this and the time at which the hearing will re-commence. During adjournments (apart from for lunch), members of the public should remain in the hearing room.
Lunch
The hearing will stop for lunch at a convenient point decided by the Chair and will last for approximately one hour. The Chair will announce a return time to re- commence proceedings. As per the start, entry will not be permitted once the hearing is back in session if you are late.
Finish
The PAT will normally conclude around 5pm.
Conduct within the PAT
Members of the public are requested to remain silent whilst the hearing is in session.
If there is any intervening or interrupting of the hearing, or if anyone behaves in a disorderly or abusive manner, or acts inappropriate in the view of the Chair, they will be asked to leave and will not be allowed access to the remainder of the hearing.
Mobile phones and cameras
Mobile phones and other devices can be retained during the hearing but must be switched off. The taking of pictures is forbidden within the hearing room and should not be taken of any persons entering or leaving the tribunal.
Conclusion of the PAT
At the conclusion of a hearing, the result will be published on the PCC’s website for a minimum period of 28 days.
Details of upcoming hearings can be found here:
[Link]
The Venue
A range of venues within Warwickshire are used by the OPCC for PAT hearings. Confirmation will be given of the venue for each hearing once an application to attend is received.
Photographic ID
All members of the public will be required to produce photographic ID to the OPCC prior to admission to the hearing.
Disabled access
Wherever possible, our venues will have access and facilities for the disabled but this can’t be guaranteed. Let us know in advance what your requirements are and we’ll try to make arrangements for you, or let you know if we can’t.
Parking and travel
There is usually parking available at the venues for PAT hearings. We will confirm details once an application to attend is received.
Please note: Travel and attendance will be in your own time and at your own expense.
Refreshments
Members of the public will be required to make their own arrangements for lunch and refreshments. It is not permitted to eat or drink during the hearings.
Restrictions
With exception of guide or assistant dogs, pets, or children (under the age of 18) will not be permitted.
