Sussex Police Detective Constable Dismissed For Gross Misconduct

Wednesday, 23 December 2020 16:14

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Sussex Police: Detective Constable Dismissed Without Notice

A Sussex Police officer has been dismissed from the force without notice after breaches of the standards of professional behaviour — that caused a criminal trial to collapse — were proven at a gross misconduct hearing.

The Detective Constable, known as Officer A, failed to properly disclose CCTV footage and mobile phone data evidence for a criminal trial, breaching the police’s standards of professional behaviour for duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct.

The officer also emailed a colleague asking them not to mention in court that the CCTV existed, breaching the standards of professional behaviour for honesty and integrity, and discreditable conduct.

The officer’s actions prevented a criminal trial from being completed.

The matter was referred to, and subsequently investigated by, the Independent Office for Police Conduct who shared their findings with the force.

It was agreed by both parties that the officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct hearing, which concluded today, Wednesday 23 December.

Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell, head of the force's professional standards department, said:

“Today’s result recognises the absolute significance of maintaining the integrity around the criminal justice process and our commitment to observe the law in this regard.

“Officer A Not only failed to meet her obligations but she tried to conceal her actions, which is a position which we cannot tolerate.

“It is vital that we maintain public confidence in the criminal justice system and in this case she failed to do this.”

The IOPC added that, during its investigation, Officer A, was interviewed under criminal caution but it was decided that their actions did not reach the criminal threshold, and no file of evidence was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

IOPC Regional Director, Graham Beesley, added:

"To make an error is human, but public confidence in the police is undermined if officers fail to perform their duties and then attempt to cover up their mistakes.

"This officer's actions resulted in the dismissal of criminal court proceedings and it is right that they have been held to account following our thorough investigation."

The officer concerned was granted anonymity in a decision by the legally-qualified Chair of the hearing, who is appointed by the Police and Crime Commissioner's office.