Gross misconduct hearing outcome - August 13
In accordance with the Police Conduct Regulations we are required to publish the following information –
An accelerated gross misconduct disciplinary hearing chaired by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet, was held by Northamptonshire Police at Force Headquarters on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
A Former Police Constable, who was granted anonymity in advance, was the subject of the hearing.
It was alleged that the former officer concerned:
Breached the standard of professional behaviour in that she:
Discussed taking illegal drugs, including the Class A controlled drug cocaine in a positive way in May, September, October and December 2023.
Took controlled drugs, including cocaine, in May, September and December 2023.
On August 6, 2023 the former officer failed to attend for duty as required for a shift starting at 07:00hrs. At 13:49, she sent a message to her Sergeant saying that she had not attended because she had had to travel for a family emergency, when in fact she had been drinking heavily on a night out.
The message the former officer sent was untrue and was intended to mislead her Sergeant and Northamptonshire Police. She was granted compassionate leave to which she knew she was not entitled.
On February 24, 2024 she was asked by a friend or acquaintance to conduct a PNC check on a vehicle. She conducted the check without a proper policing purpose and relayed information to the friend or acquaintance.
The former officer’s conduct on February 24, amounted to a criminal offence following which she was given a police caution on April 21, 2026 for an offence contrary to section 1 (1) and (3) of the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
It was alleged that the officer concerned breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to:
- Discreditable Conduct
- Orders and Instructions
- Confidentiality and Honesty and Integrity
The former officer resigned from Northamptonshire Police in advance of the hearing being held however attended the hearing and admitted aspects of the allegation to the level of misconduct only.
The Chief Constable considered the available evidence and found all bar one of the matters proved, with them amounting to Gross Misconduct.
The Chief Constable determined that had the former officer still been a serving Police Officer, she would have been dismissed without notice, noting “Her conduct was wholly unacceptable for an officer. She committed numerous acts of misconduct which were each individually so serious that dismissal was the only appropriate outcome.”
The full outcome documents can be read below: