Two former police officers have had allegations of breaching standards of professional behaviour proven against them.
Both PCs were the subject of separate accelerated misconduct hearings chaired by the Chief Constable at Sussex Police HQ, Lewes, on Friday (23 July).
The allegations were proven and both officers would have been dismissed from the force had they still been serving.
An accelerated misconduct hearing is held when there is incontrovertible evidence and it is in the public interest to remove the officer from service as soon as possible, or in the case of an ex-officer, to have them placed on the barred list.
PC Mark McCallum, 44, faced allegations of breaching standards of professional behaviour in respect of honesty and integrity, and failing to carry out orders and instructions. He used force owned vehicles when he was off duty and on leave and then claimed mileage expenses in March and April this year.
PC McCallum submitted a full admission of these allegations, and resigned on 22 July ahead of the hearing.
PC Lee Colgate, 50, faced allegations of breaching standards of professional behaviour of discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity, and fitness for duty after he pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving while he was off duty in August 2020. He appeared at Staines Magistrates' Court on 1 June and was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He resigned from the force in January this year, and has admitted to these allegations.
The allegations against both PC McCallum and PC Colgate were found to be proven by Chief Constable Shiner, with a decision that both would have been dismissed from the force, had they not resigned.
Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: "I expect our officers to act with the upmost integrity, and in accordance with the force’s values, the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Professional Behaviour. The actions of these officers fell short of that, and there is no place in Sussex Police for such behaviour.
“I am extremely proud of the staff, officers and volunteers working for Sussex Police. The unacceptable conduct that has been heard today will not be tolerated. This poor behaviour should not overshadow the hard work of others.”
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