PC who lied to serious assault victim sacked

PC Nicholas Hartland lied to the victim about completing inquiries when he had not, Staffordshire Police said

A police officer has been dismissed without notice for lying to the victim of a serious assault.

Staffordshire Police PC Nicholas Hartland told the victim he had completed checks into the attack when he had not, and then updated a police system to say there were no lines of inquiry.

The response officer was sacked for gross misconduct following a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday, the force said.

It concluded he had breached the standards of honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct, and he has now been barred from working in law enforcement.

It was crucial the public had trust and confidence in the force's ability to serve and protect them, said acting deputy chief constable Caroline Marsh, and PC Hartland's behaviour fell far below expected standards.

"He lied to a victim, our professional standards department, and knowingly made false records on police systems, which resulted in his dismissal from policing," she said.