Police officer dismissed following accelerated misconduct hearing

A police officer who was given a police caution for child neglect has been dismissed without notice following an accelerated misconduct hearing.

The officer was also added to the police barred list following the hearing held at Police Headquarters on Friday 25 September.

The officer, who joined the Constabulary in March 2025, was issued with a conditional caution for an offence of child neglect in December 2025 after he admitted to leaving three children alone in an address for a total of around an hour in November 2024.

The hearing was held to assess whether as a serving constable, he would be able to continue his role considering the offence and the effect it would have on public trust.

Following the misconduct hearing, the officer was found to have breached the professional standard of Discreditable Conduct, which states that Police officers are expected to behave in a manner which does not discredit the police service or undermine public confidence in it, whether on or off duty.

Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, who chaired the hearing, determined his actions amounted to gross misconduct and he was dismissed without notice.

TCC Blyth said: "As a force, we are committed to protecting children and keeping them safe from harm. Any officer who fails in their duty to uphold this, has no place in our police force.

“We have robust vetting processes which prevent those whose behaviour and conduct falls below the standards we and the public expect from joining the Constabulary.

“An investigation was launched as soon as the neglect came to light, and a misconduct hearing was fast-tracked as soon as he was given a caution.

“Any officer who commits a criminal act undermines their legitimacy and inevitably loses the trust and confidence of the public, and I had little hesitation in concluding the officer’s actions amounted to gross misconduct and needed to be dismissed.”