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Drunk PC called 999 after officer refused to give her a lift | Drunk PC called 999 after officer refused to give her a lift |
(5 days later) | |
PC Beth Hoey was found guilty of gross misconduct after a hearing at Leicestershire Police headquarters | PC Beth Hoey was found guilty of gross misconduct after a hearing at Leicestershire Police headquarters |
An off-duty officer who drunkenly shouted and swore when police refused her a lift after a night out has been given a final written warning. | An off-duty officer who drunkenly shouted and swore when police refused her a lift after a night out has been given a final written warning. |
PC Beth Hoey approached a fellow officer in Worcester while heavily intoxicated, and asked to be driven back to where she was staying. | PC Beth Hoey approached a fellow officer in Worcester while heavily intoxicated, and asked to be driven back to where she was staying. |
When the officer refused, PC Hoey made an abusive 999 call, saying "cops are meant to help cops". | When the officer refused, PC Hoey made an abusive 999 call, saying "cops are meant to help cops". |
She had been found guilty of gross misconduct by Leicestershire Police. | She had been found guilty of gross misconduct by Leicestershire Police. |
A misconduct hearing, held at the force's headquarters in Enderby, was told PC Hoey and another person, referred to as Witness A, had been out drinking in Worcester city centre on 1 May 2022. | A misconduct hearing, held at the force's headquarters in Enderby, was told PC Hoey and another person, referred to as Witness A, had been out drinking in Worcester city centre on 1 May 2022. |
PC Hoey approached an officer from West Mercia Police - who was on patrol in Angel Place in the early hours - and identified herself as a Leicestershire officer, asking for her and Witness A to be driven back to where they were staying. | PC Hoey approached an officer from West Mercia Police - who was on patrol in Angel Place in the early hours - and identified herself as a Leicestershire officer, asking for her and Witness A to be driven back to where they were staying. |
The West Mercia officer told her she was busy and directed her to a taxi rank, but the panel heard PC Hoey began to shout and swear in the street, claiming drivers were refusing to take Witness A because she was too drunk. | The West Mercia officer told her she was busy and directed her to a taxi rank, but the panel heard PC Hoey began to shout and swear in the street, claiming drivers were refusing to take Witness A because she was too drunk. |
At 03:00, PC Hoey called 999 to report Witness A missing and said she might harm herself. | At 03:00, PC Hoey called 999 to report Witness A missing and said she might harm herself. |
She complained officers on patrol were doing nothing and just "sitting in a van". | She complained officers on patrol were doing nothing and just "sitting in a van". |
She said: "They don't care. Cops are meant to help cops." | She said: "They don't care. Cops are meant to help cops." |
'Genuine remorse' | 'Genuine remorse' |
The panel, which was played a recording of the 999 call and shown footage of PC Hoey on the night, concluded she had been disrespectful and exaggerated details when dealing with her fellow officers. | The panel, which was played a recording of the 999 call and shown footage of PC Hoey on the night, concluded she had been disrespectful and exaggerated details when dealing with her fellow officers. |
Panel chairman David Tyme said her behaviour amounted to gross misconduct because it was dishonest and discreditable. | Panel chairman David Tyme said her behaviour amounted to gross misconduct because it was dishonest and discreditable. |
However, he added: "PC Hoey's conduct was off-duty and unconnected with any police operation. The behaviour was confined to a single episode of a short period of duration. | However, he added: "PC Hoey's conduct was off-duty and unconnected with any police operation. The behaviour was confined to a single episode of a short period of duration. |
"From the outset she accepted responsibility for her actions. She has shown genuine remorse for her behaviour." | "From the outset she accepted responsibility for her actions. She has shown genuine remorse for her behaviour." |
He said the final warning would sit on her record for two years. | He said the final warning would sit on her record for two years. |
PC Hoey apologised to the panel during the hearing. | PC Hoey apologised to the panel during the hearing. |
Det Supt Rich Ward, from the force's professional standards department, said: "The public and force rightly expect the highest standards of professional behaviour from all of our officers both on and off-duty. | |
"Behaviour which falls below these high standards expected will not be tolerated in the force. | |
"A misconduct hearing found that the officer's actions while out socialising breached these standards which are expected. | |
"It was determined that this amounted to gross misconduct and that the most appropriate outcome was for the officer to be issued with a final written warning." | |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Leicestershire Police | Leicestershire Police |
Enderby | Enderby |
Worcester | Worcester |
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