A former Sussex Police officer, who is already barred from serving, is the subject of a misconduct hearing due to begin today (June 21).
According to Sussex Police, hearings such as these are generally chaired by an independent and legally qualified person.
James Breeds' name appears on the Police Barred List, indicating a reason for his dismissal on May 6, 2020, though it is unclear whether or not these reasons are related to the stated allegations being made at this week's misconduct hearing.
The Police Barred List, as observed on June 21, stated:
- PC Breeds Regulation 16 response contains lies that were subsequently identified in interview and through the text messages sent to another.
- Comments made about his role in the Police and laws protecting young people from sexual acts.
- Failed to follow Force Policy 1176/2018 Notifiable Associations by neglecting to notify an association with a person with a criminal conviction.
Mr. Breeds is currently accused of conduct which Sussex Police said, if the allegations are proven, would amount to "gross misconduct".
This week's hearing is due to decide whether:
- on August 19, 2019, he used unlawful force to enter a property and upon the person of someone in that property;
- he unlawfully arrested that person; and
- that he knowingly provided false and misleading information as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Sussex Police stated that, if the accusations leveled at Mr. Breeds are true, these standards of professional behaviour, to which police must adhere, have been breached:
- honesty and integrity.
- authority, respect and courtesy,
- use of force,
- discreditable conduct.
Mr Breeds described himself, in social media, as a "whistleblower" and called the hearing this week an "internal kangaroo court".
The misconduct hearing has been scheduled to run for four days.
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