Misconduct Outcome of Former PC Paul Faulkner

Date of hearing: The hearing dates themselves were 26 to 28 July 2022, but the outcome was not given till 15 September 2022

Hearing location: Scotswood House, Stockton on Tees

Outcome summary

On 15 September 2022, a Police Misconduct Panel found that Paul Faulkner had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Discreditable Conduct and Honesty and Integrity. The Panel found this amounted to misconduct but not gross misconduct. The Panel’s formal decision of that result can be found below.

Thereafter, Cleveland Police sought to challenge the Panel's finding of misconduct by issuing a claim in the High Court for Judicial Review, arguing that the finding should have been one of gross misconduct. That claim was unsuccessful, meaning the Panel's finding of misconduct stands.

Paul Faulkner has now retired from the force on medical grounds.  That retirement was authorised by Cleveland Police following receipt of medical advice.  The police regulations do not allow a former officer to receive a sanction without a finding of gross misconduct. Accordingly, there is no power to impose a sanction in this case. The matter is now concluded with a recording that Mr. Faulkner is the subject of a misconduct finding.