Covid blamed for rise in police misconduct hearings
The rise in Lincolnshire Police misconduct hearings in 2023 was a consequence of Covid-19, according to force bosses.
Last year, 14 police officers faced misconduct hearings over various allegations of gross misconduct - marking the highest number in the past five years.
Around this time last year, Detective Superintendent Richard Myszczyszyn was one of the officers questioned by an independent chair.
After a week-long hearing at Lincolnshire Police HQ in Nettleham, he received a written warning for failing to disclose a personal connection when obtaining CCTV footage of an incident involving his wife.
According to the force, levels are now returning to normal, with only two hearings taking place in 2024 so far, one of which carried over from 2023.
Legislation changes have also altered how the hearings will be conducted, with senior police officers now chairing them instead of a legally qualified chair, though legal advisers will still be part of the panel.
A spokesperson for the force explained: "The Standards of Professional Behaviour reflect the expectations of the police service and originate from the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020. Misconduct hearings are arranged following an investigation into an allegation of a breach of those standards and where any breach is considered to be gross misconduct.
"Recent changes within the legislation now mean a senior police officer will chair misconduct hearings instead of a legally qualified chair, although a legal advisor will still form part of the panel. We have been training our senior officers and staff for the role of chair and are now in a position to start arranging any hearings that fall within the regulations.
"However, the rise in the number of misconduct hearings held during 2023 were a consequence of covid and the effects that were experienced in the criminal justice system. We feel we are now returning to the levels we would expect.
"There is no place in policing for anyone whose behaviour falls below the standards expected and, as with any professional organisation, our colleagues continue to report and route out bad apples."
