Conditions of entry

The below information and conditions of entry apply. You must agree to follow these conditions when registering to attend a hearing.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) staff will check your identification against the documents provided and your application to attend the hearing.

Members of the public and the press, and any bags you bring, may be searched for security reasons. Please do not bring any sharp objects or blades, as they are not permitted. Police may take away any item found during a security search if they believe it could cause harm to someone.

The Chair may also impose further conditions of entry in addition to those set out here. If this arises the further conditions will be published before the hearing.

Cameras

Cameras must not be brought inside the building. Camera functions on other devices must not be operated inside the building. Taking pictures is forbidden anywhere within Thames Valley Police premises, or in any premise used for misconduct hearings. We ask that photographs are not taken of any person entering or leaving TVP Headquarters. Anyone who does not follow this requirement will be required to leave and may be escorted from the premises.

Electronic equipment

All mobile phones, pagers, recording machines or other electronic items must be switched off in the public hearing rooms. You must not take photos, make recordings, or use recording equipment in the hearing rooms. Any person found to be using such equipment will be asked to leave by TVP staff. Drawing or sketching of the hearing room or any person, being a panel member, or witness or other interested party to the misconduct proceedings is not permitted.

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. Anyone attending the public hearing must not interrupt or interfere with 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 TVP staff may exclude them from the remainder of the hearing. If anyone breaches these conditions of entry and refuse to leave, they will be removed.

Members of the public and press are not 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 TVP 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. You'll only be allowed back into the hearing room at the next adjournment and you may again be subject to a security search.

Members of the public and press will be directed whilst in the building by Thames Valley Police staff. Members of the public and press 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. If any conditions are breached, you'll be required to leave the public hearing room and will be escorted from the premises.

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. Please note that the Chair may also decide to impose other conditions before or during the hearing.

Smoking

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

Disabled access

People who are deaf or disabled are welcome to attend misconduct hearings. A hearing loop system is available, if required. Space is set aside for wheelchair users and assistance dogs. Accessible toilets are available.

Parking

We have no parking facilities at Thames Valley Police Headquarters. If you choose to drive the nearest available car park (fee required) is located at the Oxford Parkway Railway Station, Water Eaton approximately 1.2 miles from TVP HQ.

Start times

Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time. Entry will not be allowed once the hearing is in session and late attendees will be required to wait for the next break in proceedings.

Adjournments

During the course of the proceedings it may be necessary for the hearing to be adjourned. The Panel Chair will announce the adjournment, the reason for it and if possible the time when the hearing will restart. During adjournments members of the public and press will leave the hearing room.

The hearing will stop for lunch at a convenient point in proceedings for approximately one hour. A return time to restart proceedings will be announced by the Panel Chair. The Panel will normally rise each day around 5pm or at a convenient point in proceedings. Once the hearing has concluded for the day you will leave the building and return your identity pass to the reception staff.

Refreshments

Members of the public and press are 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. There are no facilities to buy food inside Thames Valley Police HQ, although there are food outlets in the local area. You are not allowed to consume food in the hearing room.

Toilets

Toilet facilities including disabled toilets are available.