Sussex Police officer is dismissed for gross misconduct

Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct , the detective constable has been dismissed without notice after an independent disciplinary panel found the case for gross misconduct was proven against them.

The chairman of the panel decided the officer would not be named publicly due to ongoing mental health issues.

The panel heard the DC, 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 IOPC said the officer also then 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 caused the criminal trial to collapse.

A spokesperson for the IOPC said, “Our investigation began in May 2019, following a referral from Sussex Police, and concluded in May 2020 when we shared our report and findings with the force.

“They agreed with us that the officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct and organised the misconduct hearing, which concluded on Wednesday December 23 with the panel deciding gross misconduct was proven.

“During our investigation Officer A was interviewed under criminal caution but we decided 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 said, “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.”

Chief superintendent Lisa Bell, head of the force’s professional standards department, said, The 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.”