A police constable has been dismissed from Essex Police following a gross misconduct hearing after he pushed a youth into a bush.

The 39-year-old officer, who was based at Chelmsford police station, had been on restricted duties prior to the hearing.

 

After hearing the details of the case on Thursday, January 30, a decision – that could be subject to appeal – was taken by Assistant Chief Constable Julia Wortley to dismiss the officer from his post for using excessive and unnecessary force, discreditable conduct and failing to act with honesty and integrity.

The circumstances of the case were that in October 2012 the constable was attending the village green in Chelmer Village to make an arrest and came across a group of youths.

There was an altercation between the officer and a teenage boy. The officer took hold of the 14-year-old in the neck area and pushed him back into a bush. He later gave an account of the event that was untruthful.

ACC Wortley said: "On this occasion the officer’s conduct fell significantly below that which is expected by Essex Police and to retain his services could only serve to undermine public confidence in the force. Accordingly the panel was of the view that the only appropriate outcome in this case was to dismiss the officer without notice.

"I would like to thank the victim in this case and a number of young people who willingly gave their time to give evidence throughout the investigation and the misconduct hearing.”