PC dismissed over 'catalogue' of gross misconduct

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Det Supt Andy Wolstenholme said former PC Samuel Smith's "catalogue of misconduct shows a complete disregard for the responsibilities of a police officer"

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A Sussex Police officer who failed to investigate crime adequately and withdrew his taser without justification has been dismissed without notice.

Ex-PC Samuel Smith, who was based at Worthing, was accused of nine allegations of misconduct and gross misconduct.

The former PC also faced allegations of making inaccurate and false entries on force systems and of dishonesty with supervisors and colleagues.

Sussex Police said all but one of the claims, spanning from March to June 2023, were found proven following a misconduct hearing which concluded on Monday.

Det Supt Andy Wolstenholme said the dismissed PC's "catalogue of misconduct shows a complete disregard for the responsibilities of a police officer".

"He has rightly been removed from duty, and I hope his behaviour does not distract from the extraordinary work carried out by the overwhelming majority of other officers in our police service," he said.

An accusation of making inappropriate comments to a colleague about domestic abuse was not proven, the force added.

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