Thames Valley Police officer sacked
It follows a misconduct hearing about Jakes Janes' use of force vehicles
A Thames Valley PC has been dismissed without notice following a misconduct hearing.
Jake Janes faced three allegations that he failed to report incidents that had occurred whilst driving force vehicles.
In the first allegation, PC Janes drove into a kerb in High Wycombe on 18th November 2024, causing a tyre to burst. Despite being reminded by a passenger officer of his duty to report the incident, the panel found that he knowingly failed to do so.
In the third allegation, on 23rd January 2025, PC Janes reversed a marked police vehicle into a gate at High Wycombe Police Station. The panel determined that he did not sufficiently examine the vehicle or the gate for damage and failed to report the incident as required, despite directions from a colleague and a previous warning to report such incidents promptly.
An additional allegation, concerning damage reportedly caused to a police vehicle after brushing against a wall and/or drainpipe at High Wycombe Police station on 17th January 2025, was not proven as the evidence was insufficient to pinpoint the timing and cause of the apparent damage.
Panel findings
The misconduct panel chaired by DCC Paul Mills QPM of Wiltshire Police concluded that the officer’s actions over the proven allegations represented multiple breaches of professional behaviour standards. These included failures in duties and responsibilities, breaches of honesty and integrity, and discreditable conduct undermining public confidence in policing.
The panel found the officer’s culpability and the harm caused were high. Public trust, they said, is eroded when officers are not transparent about damage to police property or fail to comply with reporting procedures designed to ensure accountability and public safety.
Dismissal without notice
After assessing the seriousness of the conduct and considering submissions made during the hearing, the panel decided that dismissal without notice was appropriate. The decision, they said, was necessary to maintain public confidence and the reputation of Thames Valley Police, uphold professional standards, and protect the public.
Janes will be placed on the police barred list, preventing him from joining another police force in England and Wales, though he does have the opportunity to appeal the decision.
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