Freedom of Information request
In answer to a question from Lord Lexden, Lord Sharpe of Epson said: ‘Arrangements concerning the establishment of Mike Veale’s misconduct hearing are a matter for the Cleveland PCC’:
UIN HL8150, tabled on 25 May 2023
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-05-25/HL8150
I had previously thought misconduct hearings were established by police forces.
For the 5 most recently decided misconduct hearings concerning officers who were dismissed (or would have been dismissed had they not resigned), please provide the date you (i) first received details of the officers’ alleged misconduct and (ii) the date their misconduct hearings concluded.
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner response
Before I come to the specific elements of your request, you are correct that police misconduct below the rank of Chief Constable is handled by the police force, under the direction of the Chief Constable. The police force would be responsible for arranging any misconduct hearings.
The conduct of Chief Constables is the responsibility of the local Police and Crime Commissioner, or in other areas, Mayor. As Mr Veale was a former Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, the PCC for Cleveland became the Appropriate Authority for these matters, including the subsequent hearing.
It is just the second time in the country that a Chief Constable has faced a misconduct hearing since the PCC model was introduced in 2012.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has handled just one misconduct hearing, that of Mr Veale on week commencing 26th June 2023.
The information you seek is as below:
| Hearing | Date allegations were received | Date the hearing concluded |
| Former Chief Constable Michael Veale | 18th December 2018 | 29 June 2023 |