Ex-officer barred after making false crime record

The misconduct hearing was held at Nottinghamshire Police's headquarters on Monday

A police officer who made false statements after a domestic incident has been barred from policing.

PC Anthony Crofts, of Nottinghamshire Police, failed to follow domestic abuse procedures following a report on 4 February 2024, a misconduct hearing was told.

He falsely recorded that no offences were disclosed to officers by a female victim and failed to take "any positive action" in respect of the alleged offences.

The force's Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin, who chaired the hearing, said PC Crofts's behaviour "fell well below standards", and he would have been dismissed from the force had he not resigned.

The hearing, held at the force's headquarters on Monday, heard the victim disclosed a number of allegations to PC Crofts, including that she had been locked in the property, assaulted and had her money stolen.

The victim said she did not wish to press charges as long as she got her belongings back and was given a lift home by officers.

During the journey, further allegations were reported to officers. However, PC Crofts falsely recorded that no offences were disclosed on his return to the station.

He also falsely recorded a domestic abuse risk assessment, which should have been completed at the scene.

'Officer was dishonest'

It was found PC Crofts, who resigned before the hearing, breached standards of behaviour and was found guilty of gross misconduct, which would have resulted in immediate dismissal.

He will also be placed on the police barred list.

The hearing was told PC Crofts had apologised for his actions "at the earliest opportunity".

Assistant Chief Constable Griffin said: "The victim in this case disclosed a number of serious allegations to PC Crofts during his time at the property.

"It was vitally important that he not only responded to those allegations but also recorded them on police systems.

"Rather than record them, he falsely recorded that no offences were disclosed.

"The former officer was aware that he was not following policy and procedure.

"There was a significant deviation from policy which he was aware of and ignored. This is also a case in which the officer was dishonest, in connection with a police operation."