Legally Qualified Chairs

Legally Qualified Chairs (LQCs)

The Police and Crime Commissioner has a statutory duty under the police complaints system to maintain a list of LQCs who are available to chair police misconduct hearings.

LQCs lead police misconduct hearings. They are independent individuals who meet the judicial appointment eligibility conditions and appointments are set initially for five years, with a full review of continuing suitability at the end of that time. Subject to that review, a further period of service may be agreed for a possible term of a further five years.

LQCs were introduced under changes to the Police (Conduct) Regulations made in 2015, to replace senior police officers as the chairs of misconduct panels to make the process more transparent, independent and fairer.

In Cambridgeshire the Commissioner works collaboratively with fellow Commissioners across the Eastern Region to hold a list of LQCs. This means that a list is appointed and used by all the Commissioners across the Eastern Region. The list is held by Hertfordshire OPCC on behalf of the region.

LQCs are appointed to hearings using a ‘cab rank’ system, whereby the list is compiled randomly and then LQCs are offered hearings from across the region in turn.

Recruitment is currently ongoing for the Eastern Region by Essex PFCC. Please follow the link Legally Qualified Chairs - Police Misconduct Panel - Essex Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner (pfcc.police.uk) for how to apply.