PSD Misconduct and Complaint Transparency Data - July to September 2023
Professional Standards Department
Misconduct Investigations and Outcomes July 2023 to September 2023
Northamptonshire Police currently comprises of 1,487.30 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Police Officers, 78.73 FTE Police Community Support Officers (PCSO), 1030.54 Other Members of Police Staff, together with a further 115 Special Constables; a total of 2,711.57 FTE individuals.
During the fourth quarter of the year 2022/23, the Force dealt with 47,949 reported incidents and investigated 14,979 crimes which led to 2,709 arrests.
During this period the Professional Standards Department (PSD) recorded a total of 370 new Complaint cases (public complaints) and 25 new Misconduct cases (internal matters).
During this period PSD formally investigated and finalised a total of 22 cases of Misconduct, involving 16 Police Officers and 9 members of Police Staff and 2 Special Constables (NB: some of these matters may have been recorded in previous reporting period):
- 2 cases resulted in a finding of no case to answer
- 11 cases resulted in a case to answer for which Reflective Practice was the outcome
- 3 cases resulted in a case to answer and were assessed as amounting to Misconduct (1)
- 3 cases resulted in a case to answer and were assessed as amounting to Gross Misconduct (2)(3); these related to 3 Police Officers, 0 Special Constables and 0 members of Police Staff who attended a Gross Misconduct hearing
- 3 cases resulted in no action due to the individuals leaving the Force
(1) Misconduct is defined as a Breach of Standards of Professional Behaviour so serious that if either admitted or proven, a Written Warning could be justified as described in Schedule 2 to the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020. These matters are heard at a Misconduct Meeting
(2) Gross Misconduct is defined as a Breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour so serious that if either admitted or proven, dismissal from the Police Service would be justified. These matters are heard at a Misconduct Hearing
(3) Note that where Officers or Members of Police Staff are dismissed as a result of misconduct proceedings or who resign or retire during the course of misconduct proceedings, appropriate vetting records are maintained and can and will be disclosed in the event such an Officer or Member of Staff seeks employment with another Law Enforcement Agency
During this period PSD has cause to arrange additional disciplinary proceedings under the Police Reform Act, in respect of Complaint cases being finalised:
- 1 case resulted in a case to answer and were assessed as amounting to Gross Misconduct (2). These related to 1 Police Officer who attended a Misconduct Meeting
Misconduct Meeting Outcomes during this period:
| Date | Breach of Standards | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 |
It was alleged that a Police Officer used excessive Force and was unprofessional during an arrest. If proven, this is a breach of the Standards of Professional behaviour for Use of Force and Authority, Respect and Courtesy. Having considered all of the evidence, the chair found the allegation of use of force not proven for Misconduct and determined that the appropriate outcome was Practice Requires Improvement (PRI). However the allegation for Authority, Respect and Courtesy was found proven by the chair for Misconduct and determined a written warning |
Not Proven Use of Force Outcome: Practice Requires Improvement (PRI)
Proven Authority, Respect and Courtesy Outcome: Written Warning |
| August 2023 |
It was alleged that a Police Officer failed to challenge an inappropriate conversation on a WhatsApp group. If proven, this is a breach of the Standards of Professional behaviour in respect of challenging and reporting improper behaviour and Authority, Respect and Courtesy. Taking everything into consideration the chair found the allegation to be proven and determined that the appropriate outcome was a written warning. |
Proven Outcome: Written Warning |
| September 2023 |
It was alleged that two Police Officers when attending an incident did not properly access the risk when closing the incident log and did not apply any rationale for their decision. If proven, this is a breach of the Standards of Professional behaviour for duties and responsibilities. Having considered all of the evidence the chair found the allegation not proven for misconduct and no additional learning was required. |
Not Proven Outcome: No additional learning required |
Misconduct Hearing Outcomes during this period:
| Date | Breach of Standards | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
July 2023 Public Hearing Resigned prior to hearing |
It was alleged that a Police Officer misused the Northamptonshire Police sickness and absence policy. If proven, this is a breach of the Standards of Professional behaviours in respect of Honesty and Integrity and Discreditable Conduct. The panel considered the available evidence and found the allegations proved as Gross Misconduct and determined that the most suitable outcome would have been dismissal without notice had the Officer still been serving. |
Proven Outcome: Would have been dismissal |
|
August 2023 Public hearing |
It was alleged that a Police Officer breached the Standards of Professional behaviour for Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Discreditable conduct in relation to a fairness at work complaint. The panel found the allegations proven for misconduct and determined the most suitable warning a written warning |
Proven Outcome: Written Warning |
|
September 2023 Public hearing Resigned prior to hearing |
It was alleged that a former Special Constable breached the Standards of Professional behaviour for Confidentiality and Discreditable Conduct regarding their handling of confidential information. The panel found the allegations proven and amounted to Gross Misconduct and determined that had the Special Constable still been serving he would have been dismissed without notice. |
Proven Outcome: Would have been dismissal |
|
September 2023 Public hearing |
It was alleged that a Police Officer failed to seek permission to be part of a business in line with the business interests policy. If proven, this is a breach of the Standards of Professional behaviour relating to Orders and Instructions and Discreditable Conduct. The Officer was present at the hearing and admitted the allegations. The panel considered the available evidence and found the matter amounted to Gross Misconduct and determined the most suitable outcome was a final written warning. |
Proven Outcome: Final written warning |
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