A Sussex Police officer has been dismissed without notice after multiple counts of gross misconduct were proven against him.
Ex-PC Samuel Smith, who was based at Worthing, was accused of nine allegations of misconduct and gross misconduct, during a week-long misconduct hearing that concluded today (10 November).
The allegations, which cover the period of March to June, 2023, included making inaccurate and false entries on force systems, failing to investigate crime adequately, dishonesty with supervisors and colleagues, and drawing and pointing his TASER without justification.
The hearing found all but one of the allegations proven, finding the accusation of making inappropriate comments to a colleague about domestic abuse to be unproven.
Ex-PC Smith was dismissed without notice.
Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme said: “Honesty and integrity sits at the heart of everything we do as police officers. The public must be able to trust that we approach all situations with a sense of professionalism and decency.
“Now ex-PC Smith’s catalogue of misconduct shows a complete disregard for the responsibilities of a police officer and paint a picture of someone wholly unsuited to the profession.
“He has rightly been removed from duty, and I hope his behaviour does not distract from the extraordinary work carried out by the overwhelming majority of other officers in our police service.”
Misconduct hearings are now chaired by a police chief officer as amended by the Police (Conduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2024. This applies to cases where misconduct proceedings were issued on or after 7 May, 2024. The misconduct panel also comprises of two Independent Panel Members, appointed by the local policing body to allow for independence and impartiality during the proceedings from outside policing, representing the public.
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