Conditions of entry

Misconduct hearings are a formal process. The below information and conditions of entry apply. You must agree to follow these conditions when registering to attend a hearing.

Hearings are held in accordance with the following legislation and guidance: The Police (Conduct) Regulations and Home Office Guidance - Unsatisfactory Performance, Complaints and Misconduct Procedures.

All misconduct hearings will be in public, subject to any representation made by the officer and or witness, and considerations made by the chair.  

Please note: if you are a witness to a listed hearing, you will not be able eligible for a public seat.

Venue

Hearings will take place at:

Ex Houghton Magistrates Court (next to Houghton Police Station)
Dairy Lane
Houghton-le-Spring
Co Durham
DH4 5BQ

See this location on Google Maps

Identification

Prior to being admitted to the hearing facility you will be required to produce:

• your printed confirmation email
• valid proof of ID, such as your passport or driving licence
• proof of address (eg recent utility bill)

As a condition of entry, police staff will check your identification documents against those provided in your application to attend.

Adjournment

During the course of the proceedings it may be necessary for the hearing to be adjourned. The panel chair will announce the adjournment, the reason for it and if possible, the time at which the hearing will re-commence. You will be asked to leave the hearing room and return to the waiting area at the front of the venue until advised.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones and other devices may be retained but must be switched off during the hearing.

Cameras

The taking of pictures is forbidden within the hearing venue. It is requested that photographs are not taken of any person entering or leaving the venue. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in you being directed to leave and escorted off the premises.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed inside the venue or within the boundaries of the venue.

Disabled access

Ramp access is available at the venue.

Start times

Hearing start times can be found on the internet site, which stipulate times of the hearings. Members of public and press are requested to attend 15 minutes prior to the advertised start time.

Entry will not be permitted once the hearing is in session and late attendees will be required to wait for the next break in the proceedings.

Refreshments

Members of public and press will be required to make their own arrangements for lunch. There is no facility to purchase food or drinks at the venue. There are several food outlets in the local vicinity.

Parking

Parking on police premises is not permitted. Parking facilities available at Houghton Rugby Club, parking charges apply.

Toilets

There are toilet facilities. Disabled toilets are also provided, with a beacon and buzzer located above the toilet door for monitoring by staff on site.

Conduct within the hearing room

Members of the public and press are requested to remain silent at all times whilst in the hearing session.

The use of recording or photographic equipment is strictly forbidden in the hearing room. Any person found to be using such equipment will be asked to leave by Northumbria Police staff.

No person is permitted to make or attempt to make a sketch of the hearing room or any person within the room.

Laptops and tablets may only be used by accredited members of the press association.

If exceptional circumstances make it necessary to leave the hearing room, it is requested that individual do so as quietly as possible and during a natural lull in proceedings, such as a changeover in witnesses. Re-entry to the hearing room will be facilitated at the next adjournment.

On hearing the fire alarm

Upon hearing the fire alarm, please leave the venue by the nearest fire exit, staff will point these out to you. The assembly point is in front of the building. Do not re-enter the venue until told it is safe.

Additional information

The regulations state that the chair may also impose further conditions of entry. If this arises, the further conditions will be published on our website prior to the hearing.

Occasionally a misconduct hearing is cancelled at short notice. In these situations, we’ll do our best to notify you, but it may not be possible. Again, notification will be added to our website.

Feedback

Should you have any feedback on your hearing viewing experience, please contact the misconduct hearing unit by email.