Police officer faces gross misconduct hearing over work experience placement
It's alleged a teenager was taken on a home visit to a registered sex offender - and was on work experience without authorisation from the force
A teenage child on work experience with Avon & Somerset Police, arranged by a detective without authorisation, was taken on a home visit to a registered sex offender, it is alleged.
Detective Sergeant Nicola Coutts, based at force headquarters in Portishead, is accused of gross misconduct and faces a hearing in public chaired by Chief Constable Sarah Crew on Friday (September 1).
A publicity notice on the constabulary website said DS Coutts allegedly breached four standards of professional behaviour for police officers – honesty and integrity; orders and instructions; confidentiality; and discreditable conduct.
It said: “The alleged facts are: in October 2022, DS Coutts invited a teenage child to Avon & Somerset Constabulary headquarters to visit the Violent and Sex Offender Register Office for a work experience day.
“This was arranged without any authorisation or vetting.
“During the day, the individual also accompanied a member of staff on a home visit to a registered sex offender.”
The notice said that, if proven, the allegations would amount to gross misconduct.
The hearing will be held at police HQ.