Former police officer sentenced for theft offence

Ex-police constable Tim Silverwood, who was dismissed following a misconduct hearing held in front of the Chief Constable Andy Marsh last week, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on July 15 for sentencing.

The court heard he had stolen £2,750 and 550 euros from another person on October 16, 2019, while he was on duty in Bridgwater. This money should have been booked into the enquiry office at Bridgwater Custody Centre as found property, but he stole it for his own personal financial gain.

At a special case misconduct hearing held on Thursday July 9, the chief constable found allegations of gross misconduct were proven and decided the appropriate sanction was dismissal without notice.

At the hearing, the chief constable said Tim Silverwood’s pre-meditated actions were “disgraceful” which had the potential to cause “significant harm to the confidence of the public in their police”. He went onto say that dismissal would restore confidence and show that his behaviour was absolutely unacceptable within policing. In addition to being dismissed, he has also been added onto the National College of Policing’s barred list which prohibits him from working within policing and certain law enforcement bodies.

Inspector Andy Roebuck, Chair of Avon and Somerset Constabulary Police Federation said: “We cannot accept nor tolerate such acts from any person who is a serving police officer. The actions of a small number can have a significant bearing on the confidence of other officers and our communities. As such, there is no place for people who conduct themselves in this manner and the ultimate sanction and criminal investigation was correct. There is no place in our organisation for such people.

“We represent over 2,800 police officers who do their very best every day, without fear or favour. I would not want this to detract from their excellent work.”