Sergeant dismissed for breaching bail conditions

The disciplinary panel hearing took place at the Northamptonshire force's headquarters

A police sergeant who breached bail conditions after he was arrested has been dismissed having been found to have committed gross misconduct.

Sgt Andrew Coppin of the Northamptonshire force was arrested on 9 January and, upon his release a day later, was told not to contact complainants Person A and Person B as a term of his release.

However, "in contravention" of the bail conditions, he proceeded to contact Person A on two separate occasions in March, a disciplinary report said.

A hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet, found the conduct of the officer was "deliberate and intentional".

It heard Mr Coppin had been with the force since November 2001.

He was found to have breached standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy and integrity.

Mr Coppin displayed "little, if any, insight or remorse" for his actions, the panel heard.

The disciplinary report said the officer "had not acted with self-control or tolerance in contacting Person A, who had made serious allegations against him, and by continuing to contact Person A despite having bail conditions not to do so, neither has he treated Person A with respect and courtesy".

The panel found Mr Coppin's behaviour "constitutes gross misconduct" and that his dismissal was required to "sufficiently uphold public confidence in the police"

The ex-officer, who did not attend the hearing, was also barred from policing in future.

The nature of the offence that the ex-officer was arrested for was not disclosed, but Northamptonshire Police confirmed no charges were laid and that the investigation had been closed.