The Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct etc.) Regulations 2015

Police friend and legal representation

10.—(1) The officer concerned may choose—

(a) an MDP officer;

(b) an officer from an alternative police force;

(c) a staff member; or

(d) a person nominated by a staff association,

who is not otherwise involved in the matter, to act as their police friend.

(2) A police friend may—

(a) advise the officer concerned throughout the proceedings;

(b) unless the officer concerned has the right to be legally represented and chooses to be so represented, represent the officer concerned at the misconduct proceedings or special case hearing or appeal meeting;

(c) make representations to the relevant authority concerning any aspect of the proceedings; and

(d) accompany, and take notes for the officer concerned at any interview, meeting or hearing which forms part of any proceedings.

(3) Where a police friend is an MDP officer or a staff member, that person may use a reasonable amount of duty time for the purposes referred to in paragraph (2).

(4) The officer concerned has the right to be legally represented, by a relevant lawyer of the officer’s choice, at a misconduct hearing or a special case hearing.

(5) If the officer concerned chooses not to be legally represented at such a hearing the officer may be dismissed or receive any other outcome under regulation 39 or 59 without being represented.