Former constable 'culpable of gross misconduct' at accelerated hearing
Back in July, Former PC Jess Smith from Hayle was sentenced for 'malicious communications'
A former Devon & Cornwall Police Constable has been banned from the profession - after being handed a criminal conviction earlier this year.
It follows an accelerated hearing back in August, in which she was found culpable of gross misconduct following her conviction for malicious communications.
At the hearing, Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell found, had Former PC Jess Smith still been a serving officer, she would have been dismissed without notice.
The 33-year-old has also been added to the College of Policing Barred List after she pleaded guilty to one count of malicious communications in June and was sentenced to an 18-month community order and a five-year restraining order at Exeter Crown Court in July 2024.
The former PC from Hayle was working as a Police Constable in West Cornwall at the time of the offences, which occurred both on and off duty - and following her conviction, she resigned from the force.
A/CC Colwell concluded that the officers actions were of such ‘a poor standard’ and amounted Discreditable Conduct. In his report, he said: “Former PC Smith would have known she was committing a criminal offence in relation to the messaging she was targeting the victim with and this adds further discredit to the Force.”
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “The behaviour displayed by Jess Smith was completely inappropriate and not representative of how any police officer, or person, should behave.
“Behaviour of that manner is not welcome in policing or in our communities and it will not be tolerated. Day in, day out, officers strive to serve and protect their communities and I wish to reassure the public that behaviour of this nature will be dealt with robustly and swiftly.
Anyone can report any concerns directly to Devon & Cornwall Police by calling 101, visiting the Force website or emailing countercorruptionunit@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk.
Alternatively members of the public can contact the Independent Office for Police Conduct.