South Yorkshire Police: Ex-PC faked sickness to drink with friends
- Published
The former PC tried to use her warrant card to gain entry to Code nightclub in Sheffield
A South Yorkshire Police officer called in sick and then tried to use her warrant card at a nightclub, a misconduct hearing was told.
Former PC Holly Lee told her sergeant she had food poisoning and was unfit for her night shift on 2 August 2022.
However, she then spent the evening socialising and drinking with friends in Sheffield city centre.
Ms Lee was found guilty of gross misconduct and would have been dismissed had she not already resigned.
An accelerated misconduct hearing, held before Chief Constable Lauren Poultney on 23 January, heard Ms Lee had been a student officer at the time of the incident.
On 2 August 2022, she messaged Acting Sgt Katie Travis saying she had food poisoning and would not be able to work her night shift.
The hearing was told Ms Lee had instead spent her evening in the city centre and then went to Code nightclub in Eyre Street.
CCTV footage and evidence from the venue's head of security showed Ms Lee's male friend was refused entry as he did not have the necessary identification.
At this point, Ms Lee is said to have shown her warrant card and metal police badge and said: "I work for South Yorkshire Police, I'm not going to bring someone in who is underage."
The head of security reported the incident to police.
'Serious misconduct'
The hearing was told when she was confronted by colleagues on 3 August, Ms Lee initially lied about what had happened and claimed she did not carry her warrant card.
When subsequently interviewed, she declined to answer any questions.
Ms Poultney described Ms Lee's actions as a "sustained and persistent episode of serious misconduct".
She said whilst not connected to operational policing, Ms Lee had demonstrated dishonesty and a lack of integrity.
"In my judgment the only appropriate outcome, were former PC Lee still a serving officer, would have been dismissal without notice," she said.
Ms Lee has also been placed on the College of Policing's barred list to prevent her from returning to the profession.
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