Manchester student PC sacked for lying about being sick

PC James Lanigan admitted he lied about being ill when he was flying back from Bulgaria

A student police officer who admitted lying about being sick when he was on holiday has been sacked.

PC James Lanigan was flying back from Bulgaria when he should have been on a training course in June 2022, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

A misconduct hearing concluded it amounted to gross misconduct.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson said his actions were "deliberate, with some advanced planning" and it was "unacceptable".

PC Lanigan, who worked in Manchester, later admitted he lied about being ill and had asked a relative to book him off sick, GMP said.

He admitted his behaviour amounted to misconduct but denied it was gross misconduct.

However, the chief constable, who presided over the hearing, ruled PC Lanigan's behaviour did amount to gross misconduct.

'Thrown away'

In dismissing the officer without notice, Chief Constable Watson said: "PC Lanigan had a personal and professional responsibility to attend the training course.

"He did not inform his supervisor and tried to book off sick despite being out of the country.

"Culpability is high, and his actions were deliberate with some advanced planning.

"I note the officer's remorse and genuine apology, but his behaviour was unacceptable."

PC Lanigan was also added to the national barred list meaning he will not be able to work in policing in future.

Det Supt Phil Duffy, of GMP's professional standards branch, said: "It is extremely disappointing this officer has thrown away what could have been a fulfilling vocation at the very start of his policing career by breaching the key tenets of policing - honesty and integrity, and duties and responsibilities."

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