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.