Officer dismissed after giving misleading reference for sacked former colleague

Detective Inspector Dean Percival was approached by the London Borough of Merton in April 2023 for a character reference for the former officer who had been dismissed from the force for gross misconduct in May 2022.

At a misconduct hearing, Det Insp Percival denied intentionally misleading the London Borough of Merton by “omitting relevant information” from the reference regarding the former officer’s dismissal and that his actions did not amount to misconduct.

He had been a serving police officer with BTP since 2004 and was based in London.

After the three-day hearing at BTP’s headquarters in Camden last week, the misconduct panel decided that dismissal without notice was the only appropriate sanction in respect of the breaches of the Professional Standards of honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct.

Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle: “It was shown that Det Insp Percival knew in great detail the very serious and significant findings of the misconduct panel in proceedings against the former officer.

“He had assisted him as a Police Federation Friend and acted as his representative at the misconduct hearing and made representations upon outcome at that hearing”.

“Det Insp Percival was a very capable officer of senior rank, with vast experience. He was also a trained Police Federation representative.

“However, his conduct in this matter was far below the professional standards expected by BTP and the public we serve.

“His decision to omit relevant information regarding the former officer’s dismissal from the reference was dishonest, no doubt knowing that it would have adversely affected their chances of successfully securing employment with the London Borough of Merton.”