Police discipline issues

Specialist legal advice and support dealing with discipline matters for police forces and the emergency services.

Members of the ‘blue light’ services are in a unique position in terms of their exposure to risk and danger in carrying out their everyday duties. Operating in the public arena, the highest standards of professional behaviour and performance are expected, both of the individuals concerned and their employers. Proper handling of discipline issues is vital to maintaining public confidence in this situation, and expert legal support is a crucial part of this process.

Weightmans' has a national team of experienced solicitors and advocates specialising in police law and related misconduct and discipline issues for all the emergency services and are recognised experts in this field.

We regularly advise on matters such as the drafting of charges, provision of evidence and presentation of cases to disciplinary panels. We also provide advice and deliver training to officers and members who sit on those panels, and conduct similar work for the fire service, where our services include investigating allegations and reporting on our findings.

As an employer, we can support you with a wide range of advisory and administrative services, helping you to work more efficiently and avoid costly problems. These include drafting of employment contracts and policies/procedures and dealing with performance management issues.

Further areas of specialism include discrimination (race, sex, disability and age), sickness absence and all aspects of unfair dismissal claims. We also provide auditing and training services to ensure that your policies and procedures are kept up to date and your staff fully understand and adhere to them.