Officer who visited ‘dogging site’ in police vehicle dismissed without notice
An officer who went to a known ‘dogging site’ in a police vehicle for “no policing purpose” has been dismissed following public misconduct hearing.
PC Tony Hughes, a British Transport Police (BTP) officer based in Chester, was also found to have lied about why he was removed from a force driving course and breached the driving standards policy.
During the five-day misconduct hearing held in York, PC Hughes faced allegations that he breached the standard of professional behaviour, namely ‘honesty and integrity’, ‘orders and instructions’, ‘discreditable conduct’, and ‘duties and responsibilities’.
The force said it was alleged that between November 2022 and July 2023, PC Hughes had lied about the reason for being removed from a force driving course, breached the BTP driving standards policy, and attended a known ‘dogging’ site in a police vehicle with no policing purpose.
PC Hughes admitted breaching the driving standards policy but denied the other allegations.
The independent panel found all allegations proven and that the officer’s behaviour collectively amounted to gross misconduct. He was dismissed without notice.
Detective Superintendent Peter Fulton, head of the Professional Standards Department (PSD), said: “Hughes used the force vehicles both in an unsafe and inappropriate manner, breaching several standards of professional behaviour that we expect of our officers.
“A thorough investigation was conducted by PSD which has resulted in the independent panel being able to make today’s decision.”