I have reviewed the IMDB database for episodes of season 5 of ST.

Several interesting names are missing.

Relatively minor players (Agent Stinson, for example) are listed, which makes the omission of these characters more astonishing:

Rob Morgan- Chief Powell

Catherine Curtin - Claudia Henderson

John Reynolds - Officer Callahan

Karen Ceesay - Sue Sinclair

Arnell Powell - Charles Sinclair

Sherman Augustus - Colonel Sulllivan

Randy Havens - Scott Clarke

Susan Shalhoub Larkin - Flo

Aimee Mullins - Terry Ives

Amy Seimetz - Becky Ives

Obviously, the could be "hiding" the participation of one or more of these actors. . . I think this is particularly likely for Sherman Augustus, whose quest to find and kill Eleven was still going at t he end of season 4.

But, for other characters, their lack of listing on IMDB is more likely an indication of non-appearance in season 5. After all, if Sue Sinclair was appearing in season 5, why not reveal it? What is kept secret by non listing her?

It would appear that NO ONE affiliated with the Hawkins PD will appear in season 5 (which means the confrontation between the 'dead' Hopper and Chief Powell that I have been wanting to see may never happen). Also, other than the Wheelers and Joyce, none of the parents seem to be appearing. Finally, there is no indication that