Hearing into Alleged Misconduct of Chief Constable Rod Hansen Set to Begin Next Week

A public hearing addressing the alleged gross misconduct of Gloucestershire Constabulary Chief Constable Rod Hansen is scheduled to commence next week at a neutral venue in Cheltenham.

Chief Constable Hansen, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was suspended by Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson in October 2024 amid allegations surrounding a data breach.

Nearly a year ago, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) determined that Mr. Hansen should face a gross misconduct hearing. The allegations claim he failed to adequately respond to a report concerning a data breach.

Specifically, it is alleged that in October 2022, Mr. Hansen did not take sufficient action regarding information about a staff member suspected of unauthorized access to police systems, including the retrieval of third-party personal data, following a road traffic collision.

Additionally, he is accused of providing a false or misleading statement during the course of the subsequent investigation into the breach.

The IOPC concluded its investigation on August 8, 2025, finding that there is a case for Mr. Hansen to answer regarding gross misconduct.

The hearing is scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 16, at the University of Gloucestershire’s Park Campus in Cheltenham. This neutral location is intended to ensure fairness for all parties involved. Proceedings are expected to run on weekdays until July 24 but may conclude earlier or extend beyond this date.

The allegations center on breaches of the Police Standards of Professional Behaviour, including failure to challenge and report improper conduct, discreditable conduct, neglect of duties and responsibilities, lack of honesty and integrity, and failure to comply with orders and instructions.

Throughout the process, Mr. Hansen maintains his innocence, denying all allegations of misconduct.