Devon & Cornwall Police officer sacked after running a personal errand on duty
A hearing found his actions breached professional behaviour standards
Last updated 27th May 2022
An officer within Devon and Cornwall Police has been fired after a gross misconduct hearing.
It found that PC Tristan Hankins had breached stands of professional behaviour, by running a personal errand while on duty.
It was alleged that the officer, while on duty and using his police vehicle, left his designated patrol area without permission on a personal errand and after accepting a deployment via his police Airwave radio, completed his personal errand rather than respond.
It was also alleged that he advised the control room that he would be free shortly, which was untrue in that he was free to respond to the immediate call but he continued to run a personal errand before attending the immediate incident.
Following a public hearing on Monday 16th May, a panel concluded that the allegations were proven and PC Hankins had breached the expected standards of professional behaviour.
The panel determined that the officer would be dismissed without notice.
"His behaviour brought discredit upon the police service"
Head of Professional Standards, Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell said: "We expect our officers to uphold the standards of professional behaviour at all times and the actions of the officer fell below these standards on this occasion.
"He did not fulfil his duties and responsibilities and his behaviour brought discredit upon the police service and could undermine public confidence.
"Such behaviour will not be tolerated within policing and the decision made by the panel was that the officer should be dismissed without notice".