Essex Police officer not guilty of gross misconduct
PC Tanya Gorbutt allegedly claimed to be at the scene of a serious crash while off duty back in April 2016
A serving Essex Police officers, accused of saying she had, while off duty, been near a serious crash when she was actually elsewhere has been cleared of gross misconduct.
PC Tanya Gorbutt was working for the force's Serious Collision Investigation Unit at the time of the collision in Grays in April 2016.
Last April, PC Gorbutt completed a report on the incident, but it was alleged that some of the information did not happen and at the time of the crash she was elsewhere.
It was alleged this had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to ‘Honesty and Integrity’ and ‘Discreditable Conduct’.
An Essex Police misconduct hearing was held at Chelmsford Civic Centre between 12 October and 13 October.
The panel, led by Legally Qualified Chair Harry Ireland, found the allegations were not proven.
Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “Essex Police expects the highest professional standards from its officers and staff and where an individual is accused of falling below those standards we do not shy away from tackling it.
“This was a serious accusation and was rightly investigated thoroughly.
“We presented our evidence to the panel and they found the allegations were not proven.
We support colleagues throughout any investigation and will ensure PC Gorbutt continues to receive that support at the conclusion of this process.”