Police Friend 4.1.3

Question 1

Who can be a police friend?

Answer 1

Police officer
Police staff
Person nominated by staff association

Question 2

Role

Answer 2

Advise throughout proceedings:
Conduct or performance

Unless officer entitled to legal representation (and can still attend even if legal representation available), can represent officer in:
Misconduct/performance proceedings, special case hearing or appeal tribunal

Make representation to the ‘appropriate authority ‘ concerning any aspect of proceedings

Accompany officer to any interview, meeting or hearing that form part of any proceedings

Question 3

Where not appropriate?

Answer 3

Nominated person declines

Has involvement in that case

Question 4

Allowances

Answer 4

May take a reasonable amount of duty time to fulfil responsibility and ‘on duty’ when attending meetings, interviews or hearing

Question 5

Insufficient evidence?

Answer 5

At any point up to and including a misconduct meeting or hearing, or unsatisfactory performance meeting can submit insufficient grounds or incorrect procedures (setting out why and any evidence)

Person responsible at relevant stage to consider and respond

Fairness to officer concerned is to be ensured

Question 6

Misconduct meeting, hearing or special case hearing roles

Answer 6

1) put officers case
2) sum up case
3) respond on behalf of officer re any view expressed
4) make representations on any aspect of hearing
5) confer with officer concerned
6) in a misconduct meeting or hearing, ask A’s of any witness (subject to discretion of person(s) conducting hearing)

If legal representation, only (5) applies

Question 7

When not entitled to accompany officer?

Answer 7

If interviewed in connection with a criminal offence committed WHILE OFF DUTY and which HAS NO CONNECTION WITH ROLE AS OFFICER