Police appeals tribunal


In the United Kingdom, a police appeals tribunal, also known as a police appeals tribunal, hears appeals from police officer misconduct hearings.
The system of tribunals in England was established by section 85 and schedule 6 of the Police Act 1996, and later reformed by the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. In Scotland, it was established under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.

Proceedings

Hearings are facilitated and administered by the local police and crime commissioner. Proceedings in England are regulated by the ', and in Scotland by the '.
Unless the tribunal chair elects to hold the hearing in private, members of the public are able to attend PAT proceedings.

Grounds for appeal

There are three possible grounds for appeal to a PAT:
  1. The finding or action imposed was unreasonable
  2. New evidence makes the findings incorrect or unreasonable
  3. The misconduct hearing was unfair or did not follow the correct procedures

Further avenues for appeal

Decisions of a PAT may be appealed to the High Court of Justice, by way of judicial review.

Representation

Legal representation is not compulsory, and it is not uncommon for parties to represent themselves or use a friend.

Tribunal members

The three members of a tribunal will be:
When the appellant is a senior officer, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services or an Inspector nominated by them will replace the senior officer on the panel, and the Permanent Secretary to the Home Office or another senior Home Office officer nominated by them will replace the lay member.

Criticism

In February 2024, Mark Rowley criticised the decision of a police appeals tribunal to overturn the 2021 dismissal of detective sergeant Neil Buckmaster, arguing that 'the final say on who works in should lie with chief constables.