Misconduct hearing outcome - SPC Gaffrey Wilson
A Leicestershire special police constable has been found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour after he produced his warrant card while off-duty and attempted to cover up the details of the police force named on it.
The constable, who has been given a final written warning, was asked to leave the site of an office building and was informed that the police would be contacted if he didn't leave. He then produced his warrant card, despite knowing there was no policing purpose to do so.
The officer also said words to the effect that there was no point in calling the police and deliberately covered or attempted to cover the details of the police force named on the warrant card.
A hearing panel determined that the officer's behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and that he should be given a final written warning. This warning will remain in place for five years.
Superintendent Alison Tompkins, from the force's Professional Standards Department, said: "SPC Wilson used his policing powers while off-duty for a non-policing purpose. This is not accepted in force and is not in line with the standards of professional behaviour which are expected of all officers.
"The panel determined that in the case, the correct outcome was a final written warning. In reaching this conclusion, the panel placed particular weight on the short duration of the incident, its conclusion that the action was spontaneous rather than malicious and on the short duration of the officer's service, being around two months"
