Neil Wilby Media

In this coming week, West Yorkshire Police (WYP) is set to conduct two significant misconduct hearings, one scheduled to last four days and the other five days, underscoring the force’s stated commitment to maintaining high standards of conduct and professionalism.

Whilst these proceedings highlight the force’s aim for accountability and public trust, they also shine light on the financial and operational challenges associated with such comprehensive internal disciplinary proceedings.​

Upcoming Misconduct Hearings

• PS Jonathan Pickard: Scheduled from 24th to 28th March, 2025, this five-day hearing addresses allegations against Sergeant Pickard concerning inappropriate, derogatory, discriminatory, and unprofessional behaviour towards a junior officer between August 2022 and June 2023. The allegations suggest breaches of Standards related to authority, respect, courtesy, equality, diversity, and conduct that could discredit the police service. ​

• PCs Alexy Bruines and Adam Suleman: Commencing on 25th March, 2025, for four days, this hearing involves allegations against two officers accused of using excessive force and inappropriate language towards a 14-year-old female detainee, during an incident on 4th October, 2023.The alleged breaches pertain to authority, respect, courtesy, use of force, and conduct potentially discrediting the police service. ​

The length of both hearings strongly imply that the allegations will be contested and all three officers will be legally represented. They will take place at WYP HQ in Wakefield.

The Importance of Maintaining Professional Standards

Maintaining Professional Standards within the Police (Conduct) Regulations, 2022 is, of course, a challenge for every police force and crucial for several reasons:​

• Public Trust: The legitimacy of law enforcement agencies hinges on public confidence. When officers adhere to ethical standards, it fosters trust and encourages community cooperation. Conversely, misconduct can erode this trust, leading to diminished public support and cooperation.

• Operational Integrity: High professional standards ensure that policing operations are conducted lawfully and ethically, reducing the risk of rights violations, potential legal action against the force and enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement activities.​

Resource Implications of Misconduct Hearings

Whilst essential for accountability, misconduct hearings present notable challenges:​

• Financial Costs: Extended hearings incur substantial expenses, including legal fees, administrative support, and facility usage. For instance, the Metropolitan Police‘s external legal costs soared to £15.2 million in the 2023-24 financial year, reflecting growing scrutiny over the force’s culture and officer conduct. Given the respective sizes of the forces, it could be reasonably interpolated that WYP’s legal costs would be in the order of £3 million (an estimate currently being checked currently via a freedom of information request).

• Operational Impact: Involved officers, including those called as witnesses, are diverted from their regular duties, potentially affecting staffing levels and the force’s capacity to deliver core policing services. This diversion can strain resources, especially in departments already operating with limited officer numbers and under tight budgets.​ The actually number of officer hours ‘lost’ through involvement in disciplinary may run into the hundreds of thousands (again, more detail being sought via FOIA)

Balancing Accountability and Resource Management

WYP acknowledges the necessity of these proceedings to ensure public trust and internal discipline. However, the force also recognises the importance of managing resources effectively to minimize disruptions to essential policing functions. This balance is vital for maintaining both the integrity and efficiency of the service.​

Public Access and Transparency

To enhance transparency, WYP conducts misconduct hearings in public, allowing press, families and community members to witness the proceedings. This openness reinforces the force’s commitment to accountability and provides the public with insight into the measures taken to address misconduct.

Neil Wilby​, the author of this article and a journalist who has reported on policing matters for over 15 years, does point to one specific drawback: “Whilst there will be compelling reasons to arrange hearing dates around the availability of Panel members, legal representatives and witnesses, the listing of two cases concurrently presents serious problems for media organisations already drained of resources in terms of press coverage of the disciplinary proceedings.”

“A recurring further concern, and not just with WYP, is the time taken between the alleged misconduct occurring and the arranging of hearings to deal with it. Additionally, the duty status of all the officers should be part of all forces’ formal notice of misconduct proceedings, which they are required to publish on their website: Are they suspended, on restricted duties, or working normally?”.

Concluding, he adds: “This week’s two misconduct hearings indicate a welcome, recent and heightened commitment to Professional Standards and accountability from WYP. For example, in years gone by, a sergeant verbally abusing a constable would likely have been dealt with locally, and on the spot, by his supervision. By addressing these allegations in public, in the modern era, the force will aid public confidence, whilst looking to balance the associated resource implications to ensure continued effective policing on the front line.”

_____________________________________________________________________________