Gross misconduct hearing outcome – PC 1827 Matthew Hunt dismissed

An accelerated gross misconduct disciplinary hearing was held virtually by Northamptonshire Police today 27th December 2024, in relation to PC 1827 Matthew Hunt, and chaired by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet.

It was alleged that the officer concerned:

Sent messages to person A, a child who he had met through his position as a police officer, which were inappropriate as they were personal in tone and contained references to sexual activity.

This act rendered the officer subject to an interim Sexual Risk Order.

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

Discreditable conduct and additionally Authority Respect and Courtesy and Honesty and Integrity

The officer had resigned from Northamptonshire Police prior to the hearing being held and did not attend the hearing.

The officer was not present at the hearing and admitted his behaviours.

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

The Chief Constable determined that, had PC Matthew Hunt not resigned, he would have been dismissed, noting “As the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police, I am appalled.

“This officer is a disgrace to the Force and the wider police service. I will continue to take the strongest possible action to root out people like this officer, who should be nowhere near the police service.

“The public, and honourable decent police officers who work hard through their whole careers to serve the public, deserve no less.

“I would like to say that I am so sorry to the victim, her family and the public of Northamptonshire.

“The officer’s conduct is entirely incompatible with continuing to serve as a police officer. I have no hesitation in dismissing him without notice.”

To read the full report, click Former PC 1827 Matthew Hunt Final Report.pdf.

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Following the hearing, Deputy Chief Constable Ash Tuckley, who oversees Professional Standards for Northamptonshire Police, said: “As a result of our investigations, the Force’s Counter-Corruption Unit successfully applied to obtain an interim Sexual Risk Order (SRO) for this suspended officer on November 27 after which Northamptonshire Police took the swiftest steps possible to remove him from the organisation by arranging a fast-track misconduct hearing.

“Individuals such as this former officer have no place in policing, and we remain absolutely determined to continue to root out all police officers and staff whose conduct falls short of what is expected.

“To that end, our Professional Standards Department has expanded in the past year, and we now have a record number of experienced detectives whose job it is to tackle police-perpetrated crime. This is all part of our constant ambition to improve culture as well as instil confidence in those who want to report misconduct.

“I fully understand there are low levels of confidence in policing at present and we need to rebuild that trust. Upholding the highest standards will continue to be our number one priority in the year ahead.”

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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.