Misconduct hearing for former PC Tim Bartley
Notice of hearing to be held in public
Name of the officer concerned: Former PC Tim Bartley
Date: 23 November 2026
Start Time: 10am
Location:
Old Magistrates Court
Houghton Police Station
Dairy Lane
Houghton Le Spring
DH4 5BL
The allegations concern off-duty conduct by the former officer and are summarised below:
“Between 2019 and 2024 you used online dating applications in your private life. During the course of interactions with females on these dating applications, you made misogynistic comments and used disablist and racist language.”
It is alleged that the subject officer’s conduct breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Authority Respect and Courtesy, Equality and Diversity and Discreditable Conduct, and amounts to Gross Misconduct.
Application for Anonymity in the Misconduct Proceedings:
The Chair of the Misconduct Panel, Assistant Chief Officer Lawson has received an application by the Appropriate Authority requesting that the following orders are granted in the misconduct proceedings pursuant to Regulations 36 & 39 of the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 (“the 2020 Regulations”):
- The complainants in this case are granted anonymity.
- A reporting restriction is imposed to prohibit the publication of any information that could lead to the identification of the complainants in the misconduct proceedings
The Chair will consider whether to make any such orders at the start of the misconduct hearing.
The following persons are entitled under the 2020 Regulations to make representations to the Chair about the applications made by the subject officer:
- Witnesses in the Case
- Interested Persons [a person who has an interest in being kept properly informed about the handling of a complaint or conduct matter in accordance with section 21 of the Police Reform Act 2002]
- Members of the Press or Media Organisations
Any such representations should be made in writing to the Chair C/o the Northumbria Police Professional Standards Department by no later than 16:00 on Friday 16 November 2026 and by emailing: [email protected]
Note: If the Chair determines that the misconduct hearing shall be heard in private, members of the press and public shall not be permitted to attend and/or observe the proceedings.
If the Chair determines that the hearing shall be heard in public, members of the press and public must abide by any orders and reporting restrictions made by the Chair.
If you wish to apply to attend the hearing, you must book no later than 1pm the previous working day. This is to allow for sufficient time to process the application. Any requests received after this time will be unable to be processed in time for the hearing and therefore will be rejected.
Please ensure that you have read the conditions of entry prior to booking.