Police Law
Richard has been representing police officers for many years. Officers and the Federation demand the highest level of representation. Richard delivers this and has developed an established reputation for excellence in this area. Richard has represented officers within Merseyside, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire Constabularies. Richard has experience not only at first instance hearings but also on appeal.
He is an exceptional lawyer, good with clients, respected by others, a fighter and a solid jury advocate as can be seen from the numerous recommendations, testimonials and success whilst defending in silk.
Richard is not only Head of the Manchester Criminal Department but also Head of Professional Discipline within chambers. He also specialises in defending police officers up to and including the rank of superintendent, both in the Crown Court and before their disciplinary bodies. He is also regularly instructed to defend those before the GMC, GCC, Football Association Disciplinary Panels and Inquests.
He has a determination never to give up on a case, and will pursue a case to the highest level of appeal in order to achieve the correct result.
Police Law Cases
Superintendent Paul Staniforth (2023) defending 6 week misconduct and PAT in discipline case brought by Gwent Police concerning sexual harassment of a junior female colleague.
PC Gaffney (2023) – defending misconduct and PAT in discipline case brought by GMP concerning abuse of process issues and dangerous driving / dishonesty allegations.
DI Ben Meakin (2021) – defending misconduct and PAT in discipline case brought by Derbyshire Police for senior officer alleged to have contravened professional standards by engaging in a campaign of sexual harassment towards 6 young female police officers whilst on duty.
Sgt Emmett (2021) defending misconduct brought by GMP regarding senior officer alleged to have deliberately spat at a detainee. Officer’s conduct caught on CCTV. Issue for the Panel was not simply factual; the psychiatric condition of the Officer and whether her impulsivity and lack of control was brought on from her previous diagnosis of PTSD.
PC Frazer Green (2020) – Officer at a misconduct hearing. Alleged to have accessed police systems without policing purpose. Issues of Abuse of Process and the relevance of a mental health diagnosis of adjustment disorder to the actions of the officer.
R v DC Harrison Liverpool Crown Court (2014) – Data Protection Act. Offences.
R v PC Sweeney (2015) – Manchester Crown Court. Possessing unlawful images.
DC McNeal (2015) – Misconduct Hearing – Alleged unlawful detention of a vulnerable female.
Sgt McCourt (2015) – Misconduct Hearing and PAT – Senior police officer alleged to have sexually harassed 4 separate females.
PC Ross Walters (2016) – PAT hearing allegations of indecent assault.
PC Cheung (2016 and ongoing) – Misconduct hearing – Alleged assault on suspect and perverting course of justice.
In 2014 Richard represented a Detective Constable at a Misconduct Hearing in Leeds following her unlawful detention and admitted assault captured on CCTV of a 16 year old girl who was alleging she had been raped. Richard managed to persuade the panel that such conduct amounted to Misconduct and she was not dismissed.
