Gross misconduct hearing outcome - PC dismissed without notice

A police constable has been dismissed without notice following an accelerated gross misconduct hearing.

The hearing was held on April 13, 2026, at Northamptonshire Police headquarters and chaired by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet.

The officer subject of the hearing was granted anonymity in advance of the hearing.

It was alleged that the officer concerned breached the standards of professional behaviour when on January 9, 2025 he was on duty and tasked to attend a domestic related disturbance to check on an individual’s welfare. Thereafter he contacted the individual via social media application and exchanged messages, therefore failing to maintain a professional boundary. 

It was alleged that the officer concerned breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to:

• Honesty and Integrity (Integrity only)
• Authority, Respect and Courtesy
• Discreditable Conduct

The officer was present at the hearing and admitted the allegations.

The Chief Constable considered the available evidence and found the matter proved as Gross Misconduct.

The Chief Constable determined that the most suitable outcome was dismissal without notice, noting: “The only appropriate sanction in this case is dismissal without notice. No other sanction would be adequate to uphold public confidence in policing and maintain the high standards that I expect of officers, particularly in relation to the protection of women and girls.”

Northamptonshire Police is committed to delivering a policing service our communities can trust. To achieve this, it is vital that our officers, staff and volunteers uphold the high standards of behaviour expected of everyone who works in policing.

The vast majority of our policing colleagues do this day in, day out. However, we know there are some who continue to let the public, the service and their colleagues down, and we remain as determined as ever to hold to account those whose conduct and integrity falls short of the standards expected.

Anyone who has concerns about the behaviour or conduct of anyone who works or volunteers for Northamptonshire Police is encouraged to report it. You can do so by calling 101 or report online at www.northants.police.uk/complaints.

All allegations of misconduct are taken seriously and our Professional Standards Department works diligently to investigate such allegations to ensure those who fail to meet these standards are held to account.