The public in Somerset will soon be able to attend police disciplinary hearings following a change in the rules, in theory.

Where officers or special constables are accused of gross misconduct or breaching professional standards while already on a final warning, Avon and Somerset Police are now required to make the hearings open to the public.

The move follows a campaign backed by a trade body representing the regional press.

“Special case hearings” where there may public interest grounds for an officer to leave are covered by the new rules. The Home Office says that appeals brought before the Police Appeals Tribunal will also be open to the public.

However despite the change, it is far from clear how the new rules will be applied on the ground as the chair of the disciplinary panel will have the power to exclude anyone they want from a hearing.

Where and when the hearing will take place could also remain a mystery to the press and public as the police are not obliged to say where and when a hearing will take place and who or what it relates to. Interested parties will also be able to request that a hearing is held in private and that no notification is sent out.

What do you think... Should the hearings be open to the press and the public?

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