Find out about misconduct hearings involving Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) officers and how to attend these public hearings.
To increase openness and transparency in the MDP (and the police service in general), misconduct hearings, special case hearings and police appeals tribunals, involving Police Officers, are held in public.
Misconduct hearings deal with allegations of gross misconduct committed by MDP officers on or off duty. Gross misconduct is defined as ‘a breach of the police standards of professional behaviour (PSPB)’ that is so serious as to justify dismissal’. Misconduct hearings form part of the disciplinary process and are not criminal proceedings.
Accelerated Misconduct Hearings take place when the investigation of allegations of Gross Misconduct, committed by MDP officers on or off duty, identifies that special conditions, such as the following are satisfied:
Police Appeals Tribunals deal with appeals submitted by MDP officers, against the findings and/or the outcomes of misconduct hearings (including accelerated misconduct hearings), under the MDP Conduct Regulations, or stage 3 meetings under the Performance Regulations.
The decision to hold misconduct hearings and police appeals tribunals in public was announced by the Home Secretary in 2015. The Ministry of Defence Police followed suit in March 2017 by amendments to the Ministry of Defence Police conduct (2015) and performance (2012) regulations, and by subsequent revision of those Regulations into the new Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct, Performance and Appeals Tribunals) Regulations 2020, which came into effect for all cases assessed as Gross Misconduct after 2 November 2020.
This change of legislation does not affect misconduct meetings, where a breach of PSPB does not amount to gross misconduct. These proceedings will be held in private and the public have no right to observe (except in the case of a complainant or the commission^, where appropriate).
^Director General (IOPC) or Ombudsman (NI) if they conducted or directed the investigation.
At a misconduct hearing the facts are heard by a panel, often with the help of witnesses, to enable a finding to be made. If an officer is found to have committed misconduct or gross misconduct, depending on the circumstances, the available outcomes are:
An accelerated hearing is heard by the Chief Constable. Due to the evidence being incontrovertible there is no requirement for any witness attendance. If an officer is found to have committed gross misconduct, the available outcomes are:
Police appeals tribunals are heard by a panel chaired by a person nominated by the Lord Chancellor who satisfies the judicial appointment criteria. The tribunal determines whether the ‘grounds of appeal’ on which the appellant relies, have been made out. On the determination of an appeal, a tribunal may make an order dealing with the appellant in any way in which they could have been dealt with at the original hearing.
Any member of the public or press can request to attend a misconduct hearing, provided that they are aged 18 or over.
When the date of a misconduct hearing is confirmed, the details will be published below. Due to the MDP being a national force the location of the misconduct hearing may vary (dependent upon the case).
Please note the following conditions of entry:
If you require disabled access, or have any other reasonable adjustment requirements, please advise us of your requirements on your registration form.
Once all applications to attend have been received and reviewed (after the closing date), your attendance will be confirmed, as applicable, by the means identified on your registration form.
Please note: in exceptional circumstances, the Chair can exclude anyone from all or part of the hearing at his/her discretion and may impose conditions relating to the attendance of any person.
Should the Secretary of State for Defence consider it expedient in the interests of national security, he/she may also give direction that:
If a decision is made to hold a hearing in private the reasons will be published below and, where conditions are placed on any person’s attendance, that person will be notified prior to commencement of the hearing.
Hearing Date and Time: 14 April 2026, 10am
Alleged Conduct (& PSPBs breached):
It is alleged that PS Keir sent inappropriate messages and made inappropriate comments to a female police constable between May and July 2024.
Thereby, he failed to adhere to the expected Policing Standards of Behaviour. PS Keir’s alleged conduct was in breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour of Equality and Diversity and Authority, Respect and Courtesy.
How to attend:
Members of the press or public wishing to attend the Misconduct Hearing must register to do so. Anyone who has not pre-registered will not be allowed to access the hearing. Those attending are not allowed to record or film the proceedings.
To register, email MDP[email protected] with the following details:
All requests to attend must be received on or before 1 April 2026.
There are currently no upcoming police tribunals.
Hearing Date: 26 November 2025
Alleged Conduct (& PSPBs breached):
An Accelerated Misconduct Hearing in respect of Former-Police Constable 1273 Navdeep Sekhon was held on 26 November 2025.
Former PC Sekhon answered allegations that his conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour of Discreditable Conduct in that he was convicted of outraging public decency by masturbating in a public place on 17 August 2025.
Finding: Gross Misconduct
Outcome: Would have been Dismissal Without Notice if still in post
Read the full outcome report: FPC Navdeep Sekhon MDP Hearing outcome (PDF, 78.9 KB, 7 pages)
Hearing Date: 27–28 November 2025
Alleged Conduct (& PSPBs breached):
A Misconduct Hearing in respect of Sergeant Peter McAnerney was held on 27–28 November 2025.
Sgt Pater McAnereny answered allegations that his conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour of Discreditable Conduct and Authority, Respect and Courtesy. On the night of 5/6 August 2022 PS McAnerney became intoxicated and behaved inappropriately.
Finding: Gross Misconduct
Outcome: Final Written Warning – 5 years
Read the full outcome report: PS Peter McAnerney MDP Hearing outcome (PDF, 35.8 KB, 8 pages)
Hearing Date: 1–3 December 2025
Alleged Conduct (& PSPBs breached):
A Misconduct Hearing in respect of Sergeant Christopher Godfrey on the 1–3 December 2025.
Sergeant Cristopher Godfrey was not in attendance. His conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour of Authority, Respect and Courtesy; Equality and Diversity; and Discreditable Conduct.
Finding: Gross Misconduct
Outcome: Dismissal Without Notice
Read the full outcome report: FPS Christopher Godfrey MDP Hearing outcome (PDF, 125 KB, 22 pages)
Hearing Date: 26–27 January 2026
Alleged Conduct (& PSPBs breached):
Former PC Brian Love answered allegations that his conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour of Discreditable Conduct and Authority, Respect and Courtesy. On a number of occasions between August 2023 – March 2024 the Officer used his X (formerly Twitter) account to comment and / or like concerning posts.
Since at least 2021 the Officer developed an alcohol addiction and only sought treatment in March 2024, following the vetting decision relating to Twitter / X activity.
The Officer has therefore been unfit for his duties since 2021, particularly for front-line and armed roles.
Finding: Gross Misconduct
Outcome: Dismissal Without Notice
Read the full outcome report: PC Brian Love MDP Hearing outcome (PDF, 245 KB, 12 pages)
Hearing Date: 24–27 February 2026
Alleged Conduct (& PSPBs breached):
A Misconduct Hearing in respect of Police Constable Sarah Balding was held on 24 to 27 February.
PC Balding answered allegations that her conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour of Discreditable Conduct, Authority, Respect and Courtesy, and Honest and Integrity.
It is alleged that on 3 July 2024, PC Balding engaged in a discussion about two members of the MOD. It is alleged that this conversation was sexualised and inappropriate. It is further alleged that on 12 August 2024, PC Balding accessed the BWV of the conversation and changed the category of the footage to “Non-Evidential”. It is alleged that she did this to conceal the footage as she knew that “Non-Evidential” footage is deleted sooner.
Finding: Misconduct
Outcome: Written Warning - 18 months
Read the full outcome report: PC Balding MDP Hearing outcome (PDF, 98.4 KB, 12 pages)
Hearing Date: 10–12 March 2026
Alleged Conduct (& PSPBs breached):
A Misconduct Hearing in respect of Police Constable James Stringer was held on 10–12 March 2026.
PC Stringer answered allegations that his conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour of Honesty and Integrity, and Duties and Responsibilities.
It is alleged that PC Stringer took paid study leave on 23 and 24 September 2023 in circumstances whereby on 23 September 2023 he already intended to withdraw from the examination on 28 September 2023 and that he received the benefit of two paid days on 23 and 24 September 2023 while not working and without a reasonable excuse.
It is alleged that he failed to inform his line manager of (1) his intention to withdraw from the examination on 28 September 2023, and (2) his notification to the Exams Unit on 25 September 2023 that he had withdrawn from the examination on 28 September 2023. It is further alleged that having withdrawn from the examination of 28 September 2023, he failed to report for duty that day. By doing so, he took the benefit of 28 September 2023 as a paid day while not working and without a reasonable excuse.
Finding: Misconduct
Outcome: Final Written Warning – 2 years
Read the full outcome report: PC James Stringer MDP Hearing outcome (PDF, 229 KB, 15 pages)
Hearing Date: 30–31 March 2026
Alleged Conduct (& PSPBs breached):
A Misconduct Hearing in respect of now Former Police Constable Benjamin Ashe was held on 30–31 March 2026.
PC Ashe answered allegations that his conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour of Discreditable Conduct and Integrity. It is alleged that on 5 January 2024 PC Ashe rode his Kawasaki Motorcycle (VRM ND10 ULX) without due care and attention.
Finding: Misconduct
Outcome: Dismissed Without Notice
Read the full outcome report: FPC Benjamin Ashe MDP Hearing outcome (PDF, 210 KB, 13 pages)
There are currently no previous appeals tribunals to list.
We encourage anyone who has concerns about police-perpetrated abuse to contact Crimestoppers - The Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-defence-police-misconduct-hearings