Cumbria Police: Sergeant sacked for gross misconduct after discussing case

Chief Constable Rob Carden described the sergeant's behaviour as "indefensible"

A police officer has been sacked for gross misconduct after disclosing confidential details of an investigation.

Sergeant Graham Boyd, of Cumbria Police, was directing an inquiry into an alleged assault, despite being personally involved in the case.

He also made "highly inappropriate and offensive comments" about young suspects, a misconduct panel heard.

Chief Constable Rob Carden described the behaviour as "indefensible".

Sergeant Boyd has since been barred from policing.

A misconduct panel heard that he failed to disclose his actions to the officer in charge of the case, which involved an alleged assault on a teenage girl.

He had attended the scene of the incident in the immediate aftermath and had spoken to those present in a "personal capacity", a report said.

The panel found he shared details about the investigation with the girl's mother on several occasions over two days in April.

He had also discussed evidence with her, prompting more information from her daughter "to bolster the prosecution case".

'Multiple breaches'

Because he failed to disclose his actions, it prevented the Crown Prosecution Service from finding out and could have compromised the case, a report said.

The panel heard that, when the events in question occurred, the officer was suffering from workplace, personal, emotional and mental health issues, which continue to affect him.

Sergeant Boyd, who did not attend the hearing, accepted the allegations and that he breached the Data Protection Act and Cumbria Constabulary information security policy and procedures.

Mr Carden said the officer's actions amounted to "multiple breaches of the standards of professional behaviour".

"I hope that the outcome of the misconduct proceedings will demonstrate to the public that all allegations against police officers and staff are treated with the utmost seriousness and investigated thoroughly," he said.

"Whilst the overwhelming majority of our police officers and staff conduct themselves in a manner which we can all be proud, I expect the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and honesty and action will be taken against anyone who fails to meet those standards."