Two Sussex police officers disciplined for Covid rule breach

Off-duty Sergeant and PC caught at a house party during lockdown

Author: Mike DraperPublished 11th Dec 2021

Two police officers have been disciplined for attending a party in breach of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Police were called to the gathering at a house in Hove, East Sussex, at 8.46pm on May 15 where they found a number of off-duty colleagues present.

At the time of the incident, coronavirus regulations stated that people should only mix with their own household or linked households.

TEN OFFICERS HANDED PENALTIES

A total of 10 officers were later issued with fixed penalty notices of £200 each for breaching the rules.

A police constable and an acting police sergeant from Sussex Police who were at the party have now been sanctioned by the force's Professional Standards Department.

POLICE CHIEF: "We do not tolerate this kind of behaviour"

A force spokeswoman said:

"An internal investigation carried out into the incident resulted in one of the police officers involved being given a written warning and an acting police sergeant given reflective practice, which requires officers to reflect on their actions and to improve their performance."

Detective Superintendent Rachel Carr said:

"We have taken Covid-related breaches very seriously and we do not tolerate this kind of behaviour which falls below the standards we expect of our officers and staff."