PSD Misconduct and Complaints Transparency Data - October to December 2025
Northamptonshire Police currently comprises of 1,465.32 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Police Officers, 82.31 FTE Police Community Support Officers (PCSO), 1097.49 Other Members of Police Staff, together with a further 84 Special Constables; a total of 2,645.12 FTE individuals.
During the third quarter of the year 2025, the Force dealt with 45,469 reported incidents and investigated 13,724 crimes which led to 2,387 arrests.
During this period the Professional Standards Department (PSD) recorded a total of 415 new Complaint cases (public complaints) and 29 new Misconduct cases (internal matters).
During this period PSD formally investigated and finalised a total of 22 cases of Misconduct, involving 14 Police Officers and 7 members of Police Staff and 1 Special Constables (NB: some of these matters may have been recorded in previous reporting period):
- 3 cases resulted in a finding of no case to answer.
- 9 cases resulted in a case to answer for which Reflective Practice was the outcome.
- 2 cases resulted in a case to answer and were assessed as amounting to Misconduct (1).
- 5 cases resulted in a case to answer and were assessed as amounting to Gross Misconduct (2)(3); these related to 4 Police Officer’s, 1 Special Constable who attended a Gross Misconduct hearing.
- 0 cases resulted with no action due to the individual leaving the Force.
During this period PSD had cause to arrange disciplinary proceedings under the Police Reform Act, in respect of Complaint cases being finalised:
- 0 case resulted in a case to answer and were assessed as amounting to Misconduct
- 3 Gross Misconduct went through the HR Dismissal process
(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 because of misconduct proceedings or who resign or retire during 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.
Misconduct Meeting Outcomes during this period:
| Date | Breach of Standards | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| November 2025 |
It was alleged that a Police Officer used a crowbar to force open work lockers and left colleagues' Pava and medication insecure as a result The applicable breaches of the Standards of Professional behaviour were Authority, Respect and Courtesy, and Discreditable Conduct. The chair determined a final written warning for 2 years to be the appropriate sanction. |
Proven Outcome: Final written warning for 2 years |
| November 2025 |
It was alleged that a Police Officer engaged in sexual acts whilst in the workplace. The applicable breach of the Standards of Professional behaviour was Discreditable Conduct. The Chair determined that a final written warning for two years to be the appropriate sanction |
Proven Outcome: Final written warning for 2 years |
Misconduct Hearing Outcomes during this period:
| Date | Breach of Standards | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 |
It was alleged that a Police Officer failed to treat two individuals with respect and courtesy by violating their dignity and/or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. The applicable breaches of the Standards of Professional behaviour were Authority, Respect and Courtesy, duties and responsibilities and Discreditable Conduct. The panel determined that had the former officer still been a member of the Northamptonshire police force, the panel would have dismissed him. |
Proven Outcome: Would have been dismissed |
| October 2025 |
It was alleged a Staff member accessed systems to view multiple applications of their competitors, without a policing purpose but for their own personal gain. The applicable breaches of the Standards of Professional behaviour were Confidentiality and Honest and Integrity. The panel determined all allegations were upheld, and the outcome as gross misconduct dismissal, which is dismissal without notice. |
Proven Outcome: Dismissed without notice |
| December 2025 |
It was alleged that a Police Officer failed to comply with Northants Police's mobile communication devices procedure, sent messages which were derogatory, offensive, inappropriate and/or included discriminatory and/or abusive language and sent messages from their personal phone which shared operational and/or confidential information without a policing purpose. The applicable breaches of the Standards of Professional behaviour were Discreditable Conduct, Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Equality and Diversity. The panel decided that a written warning would meet the purpose of the misconduct regime on the proven facts of this case, reflecting the gravity of the conduct. The panel determined the level of seriousness to be low and deemed a written warning was an appropriate sanction |
Proven Outcome: Written warning (18 months) |
| December 2025 |
It was alleged that a Police Officer attended an incident at a public house and whilst there engaged in a conversation with a member of the public, which was inappropriate as the conversation was of a personal nature and/or in furtherance of a personal relationship. The Officer turned off Body Worn Video equipment to avoid the interaction being captured. The applicable breaches of the Standards of Professional behaviour were Discreditable Conduct & Integrity. The panel concluded an appropriate and proportionate outcome was to dismiss the Officer without notice. |
Proven Outcome: Dismissed without notice |
| December 2025 |
It was alleged that the staff member utilised a work avoidance tactic known as key jamming on their device whilst also simultaneously being in their vehicle with their journey captured on ANPR and CCTV. The applicable breaches of the Standards of Professional behaviour were Discreditable Conduct, Honest & Integrity and Instructions. The panel determined on the evidence presented that all allegations were upheld, and the outcome was gross misconduct dismissal, which is dismissal without notice. |
Proven Outcome: The staff member resigned prior to the hearing and therefore would have been dismissed |
| December 2025 |
It was alleged that a PCSO abused their position for Sexual Purpose and utilised their experience and power to exploit a vulnerable person with a clear motivation to form a sexual relationship. The applicable breaches of the Standards of Professional behaviour were Discreditable Conduct, Honest & Integrity and Authority, Respect & Courtesy. The panel determined on the evidence presented that the allegation was upheld and the outcome was gross misconduct dismissal, which is dismissal without notice. |
Proven Outcome: The staff member resigned prior to the hearing and therefore would have been dismissed. |
Special Case Hearing Outcomes during this period (chaired by the Chief Constable):
| Date | Breach of Standards | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
December 2025 Accelerated Hearing |
A Special Constable was charged with an offence of assault by beating, contrary to section 39 of Criminal Justice Act 1988. The Special Constable was convicted after trial in respect of that offence. The Officers behaviour was alleged to have breached the Standards of Behaviour relating to Discreditable Conduct. The Chief constable found the matter proved noting "the only sanction that can preserve confidence in the Police Service in this case would have been dismissal without notice". |
Proven Outcome: Would have been dismissed |
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