Officer dismissed after gross misconduct allegations proven

A police officer has been dismissed after allegations of gross misconduct were proven at a misconduct hearing held at Police HQ earlier today (Wednesday 30 June).

PC Teresa Lines misused police systems by checking details on a man she intended to go on a date with and/or start a relationship with.

PC Lines also made a false entry into her pocket notebook about her reasons to attend the man’s house.

Supt Jane Wigmore, head of Professional Standards, said: “Legitimacy is vital to maintaining public confidence and we expect all officers and staff to abide by a strict data protection policy when it comes to the use of police systems and accessing both sensitive and confidential information. PC Lines’ actions were a clear breach of this policy and there was no policing purpose for her to access the information she did.

“PC Lines went onto compound this lack of judgement with a false entry in her pocket notebook in an attempt to conceal her actions.

“It is important officers and staff maintain professional boundaries, including with members of the public, and PC Lines failed to do that.

“The misconduct hearing panel, led by an independent Legally Qualified Chair, have listened to all the evidence and found allegations of gross misconduct were proven and have decided the sanction should be dismissal without notice.”

The full outcome will be added to the misconduct section of our website when it is available.