Conditions of entry

Date of issue: 3 December 2025

The Police (Conduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 direct that misconduct hearings and accelerated misconduct hearings will be held in public, subject to the discretion of the person chairing or conducting the hearing, to exclude any person from all or part of the hearing. Notice of a public hearing will be made at least five working days prior to the hearing.

Any member of the public or press aged 16 or over wishing to attend a misconduct hearing may do so but due to limitations on space and capacity, attendance at the hearing will be administered and booked by application.

When booking, you will be required to confirm you have read these conditions of entry and agree to abide by them. 

Accredited journalists holding a UK press card must state their accreditation on booking and present their UK press card on attendance.

Legislation

Hearings are held in accordance with the following legislation and guidance: The Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012 and 2020; The Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020; Home Office Statutory Guidance 2018 and 2020; Police (Conduct, Complaints and Misconduct and Appeal Tribunal) (Amendment) Regulations 2017; Home Office Circular 012/2017: New former police officer and barred list regulations.

Misconduct panel composition

The hearing will be conducted by a panel of three people. They are a legally qualified member, appointed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), a lay person who will be selected from a similarly held list and a senior police officer, of at least the rank of superintendent, who has had no previous dealings with the incident or with the investigation.

To attend a hearing

Misconduct hearings are usually held at:

Surrey Police Headquarters
Sandy Lane, Guildford
GU3 1HG

A limited number of seats will be set aside for members of the public and accredited press reporters/media representatives.

You will need to apply to attend a misconduct hearing. Applications must be received by midday on the working day before the hearing commences. If a place is available, we will send you a confirmation email.

Please note: Regardless of these conditions of entry, Surrey Police retain discretion as to who is permitted entry to their premises and attendance at the hearing is at the discretion of the Chair.

Summary of the conditions of entry

You must read and agree to abide by these conditions. Declining to do so may result in your attendance being declined. 

• Police National Computer (PNC) checks: Members of the public must consent to their information being checked against the Police National Computer (PNC). Accredited journalists holding a UK press card will not need a PNC check.
• Searches: Members of the public and press, together with any bags may be subject to a security search. Sharp objects or blades will not be permitted. Police will retain the authority to seize any article found during a search which may cause harm to any person.
• Cameras: Cameras must not be brought inside the building. Camera functions on other devices must not be operated inside the building. The taking of pictures is forbidden anywhere within Surrey Police premises, or in any premise used for misconduct hearings. It is requested that photographs are not taken of any person entering or leaving Headquarters. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in you being directed to leave and escorted off the premises.
• Electronic equipment: All mobile phones, pagers, recording machines or other electronic items must be switched off in the public hearing rooms.
• Sketches: No person is permitted to make, or attempt to make a sketch of the hearing room or any person, being a panel member, or witness or other interested party to the misconduct proceedings.

On the day of the hearing

On the day of the hearing you will only be admitted if you bring with you:

• your personal registration letter (confirmation email) issued to you by the Professional Standards Department and;
• supporting photographic identification such as a passport or driver’s licence.

Conduct within the hearing room

• Members of the public and press are requested to remain silent at all times whilst the hearing is in session.
• No-one attending the public hearing shall intervene in or interrupt the running of the hearing.
• If anyone behaves in a disorderly or abusive manner or otherwise acts inappropriately in the view of the Chair, then a member of staff may exclude them from the remainder of the hearing.
• Should anyone breach these conditions of entry and refuse to leave, they will be ejected.
• You are advised to check the hearing page the evening before to confirm daily start times. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time. You will not be allowed to enter or leave the public hearing room whilst it is in session.
• If exceptional circumstances make it necessary to leave the public hearing room, you will be escorted to the public area by a member of staff. It is requested that individuals do so as quietly as possible and during a natural lull in proceedings, such as a changeover in witnesses. Re-entry to the public hearing room will be facilitated at the next adjournment and you may again be subject to a security search.
• You will be directed whilst in the building by Police staff and must comply with evacuation procedures.
• Directions by the Chair: During the course of the proceedings the Panel Chair may provide brief explanations about the procedure to be followed, or impose certain conditions. You should abide by these conditions. Should any conditions be breached, you will be required to leave the public hearing room and will be escorted from the premises.
• Non-disclosable evidence: If the Panel Chair decides that the evidence to be given by a witness, or any other person should not be disclosed in public, you will be asked to leave the hearing room or, if the hearing is streamed, the screen will be blanked.
• Further conditions: The Chair may also decide to impose other conditions before or during the hearing in addition to those set out in this document. If this arises before the hearing, the further conditions will be published on the website prior to the hearing.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed inside Police Headquarters nor in the entrance to the building.

Refreshments

Members of the public and press will be required to make their own arrangements for lunch and to return to the building in time to repeat the entry procedure. You will not be permitted entry if the hearing has resumed.

You will not be permitted to consume food in the hearing room. The hearing will stop for lunch at a convenient point in proceedings for approximately one hour. A return time to re-commence proceedings will be announced by the Panel Chair.

Animals

Animals will not be permitted, with the exception of guide dogs/assistance dogs.

Facilities

For your attendance, please note the following provisions:

• Disabled access: A hearing loop system is available, if required. Space is set aside for wheelchair users and assistance dogs. Attendance with a guide dog/assistance dog will be permitted.
• Parking and travel: We have no parking facilities at Headquarters for members of the public or press to attend a hearing. Travel and attendance is in your own time and at your own expense.
• Toilets: Toilet facilities including disabled toilets are available.

Enquiries

If you have any queries that are not covered above, please email the Professional Standards Department or call 01483 638451 during office hours.