Police officer went abroad after calling in sick

Harry Elsey let down the people of Essex with his behaviour, the county's chief constable said

A former police officer who called in sick and then went on holiday abroad "showed disdain" for his colleagues, a chief constable said.

PC Harry Elsey worked in Essex Police's control and command centre when he failed to show up for two shifts in September 2023.

The officer was found to have committed gross misconduct and would have been dismissed from the force had he not already resigned, a hearing concluded.

"He let the hard-working colleagues in the Essex Police control room down by his selfish, immature and dishonest behaviour," said Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington.

Mr Elsey was found to have breached the force's standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity, and duties and responsibilities.

"We expect all officers and staff to always conduct themselves with the highest levels of integrity and honesty – and the people of Essex rightly expect that," Mr Harrington added.