Date set for former Cleveland Police chief constable’s misconduct hearing over alleged sexual remarks
A date has been set for the misconduct hearing of former Cleveland Police chief constable Michael Veale who is alleged to have made “unwanted remarks of a sexual nature” to a colleague.
Cleveland’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner confirmed that Mr Veale will face a public hearing in Middlesbrough starting next week.
The alleged remarks date back to October and December 2018.
In a public notice of the misconduct hearing, the PCC’s office said: “It is alleged that Michael Veale, when chief constable of Cleveland Police, made unwanted remarks of a sexual nature in October and December 2018 to a colleague, and that this conduct amounted to breaches of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, in particular those paragraphs relating to equality and diversity, discreditable conduct, and authority, respect and courtesy.
“It is alleged that this conduct, if proven, amounts to gross misconduct, being so serious as to justify the dismissal of a police officer.
“The identity of witnesses will be protected during the hearing as appropriate.”
Mr Veale stepped down from Cleveland Police in 2019 after ten months as chief constable, during which time he was accused of inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour towards staff.
In December 2022 he was given the interim job of chief executive officer for the PCC for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, but left after just two months.
The misconduct hearing will begin on Monday (June 26) at the Leonardo Hotel and is expected to last five days.
Mr Turner said he has “no comment to make at this time, pending the formal hearing”.