Essex Police officer dismissed after admitting to tragedy chanting

An Essex Police officer has been dismissed from the force after admitting to tragedy chanting at a football match.

Former officer Sergeant Tyler Coppin was attending a match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on October 20th.

During the course of the match, tragedy chanting erupted, prompting security staff to start removing supporters from the stadium - Coppin among them.

Shortly after the incident, Coppin was arrested - appearing before Sefton Magistrates' Court on December 13th.

As part of the hearing, the now-former police officer pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act, which describes "behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress".

In his sentencing, Coppin was fined £645 for damages, as well as being hit with a three-year ban on attending any football match.

Following on from his criminal case, a panel was established from Essex Police to determine whether he committed gross misconduct.

An extensive investigation was carried out, during which it was found that Coppin "breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct", the force said.

Presiding over the hearing, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington officially dismissed Coppin from the force, despite his unblemished track record previously.

Speaking on the decision, Chief Constable Harrington said: "Ex-Sgt Coppin’s dismissal is the result of a moment’s serious stupidity, but this is the only appropriate outcome.

"It is clear that ex-Sgt Coppin was remorseful and may not have been aware of the impact of his words, but he has been criminally convicted of a public order offence.

"His actions will seriously undermine public trust and confidence and I must send a clear message to officers, staff and the wider public that behaviour such as this cannot and will not be tolerated in policing.

"If officers are responsible for upholding the law, it cannot be right that they break it."

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