A former Sussex police officer has been found guilty of gross misconduct following a disciplinary hearing held on April 5 and 6 at Sussex Police headquarters. The hearing was chaired by an Independent Legally Qualified Chair (LQC), and the officer’s identity was kept confidential to protect anonymity.
Although no criminal charges were filed, Sussex Police’s Professional Standards Department conducted a thorough investigation into the officer’s conduct. This probe was carried out under the force’s strict domestic abuse pledge, which enforces a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of abuse.
The ex-officer, who was stationed on the 123, was found to have breached key professional standards including Integrity, Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Discreditable Conduct, and Confidentiality. These serious violations were deemed gross misconduct.
Had the officer not resigned prior to the hearing, dismissal without notice would have been certain. Following the ruling, the officer’s name will be added to the College of Policing Barred list, permanently preventing them from working in law enforcement again.
Superintendent Petra Lazar, deputy head of Professional Standards at Sussex Police, stated: “We expect our officers to act with the utmost integrity, in line with the Code of Ethics and Professional Behaviour standards. We have invested heavily in cultural change to challenge and stamp out unprofessional conduct. Criminal behaviour, misconduct, and misogyny have no place in Sussex Police.”
She added, “This officer’s actions fell far below our standards, as the panel’s findings clearly show.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
