LAWYERS are being recruited to chair hearings into allegations of police misconduct, as an overhaul of police complaints system gets underway.

From January police misconduct panels will be chaired by civilians rather than police, as part of efforts by the government to make the process more transparent.

Police and crime commissioners in Sussex and surrounding counties are now seeking qualified lawyers who can demonstrate “integrity and independence of mind” as well as “sound judgment”, among other strengths.

The new regulations also include protecting police whistleblowers from unfair disciplinary action and allowing compensation to be withheld from chief officers found guilty of misconduct, among other measures.

Since May panels have had to be heard in public.

Announcing the changes earlier this year, home secretary Theresa May said: "The government has always been clear that the vast majority of police officers in this country do their job honestly and with integrity. They put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.

“But the good work of the majority threatens to be damaged by a continuing series of events and revelations relating to police misconduct.

“The public need to have confidence that the complaints system is fair and effective and that the disciplinary system effectively holds corrupt officers, or those who are guilty of misconduct, to account for their actions.”

Announcing the opening of lawyers’ recruitment this week, Mrs Bourne said the legislation changes were an "essential development in continuing to build public trust and confidence in the police by improving transparency”.

The five police and crime commissioners in the south-east – Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire and Thames Valley – are working together to recruit lawyers so the appointment and training is consistent.

Sussex Police has said information on how members of the public can attend disciplinary hearings will be posted on its website in due course.

Superintendent Lisa Bell, head of Sussex Police's professional standards department, said: "We are very open to being as transparent as possible in all of our work and this is an important aspect of ensuring that our disciplinary processes are similarly visible to the public.

"In recognition of the important position of trust we hold in society, we also have a responsibility to ensure that people who work for us meet the very high standards of honesty and integrity that we demand and expect.”