A TOP police officer says the confrontation in which he is alleged to have launched a foul mouthed tirade at a colleague was “never significant”.

Essex Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Matthew Horne is facing a misconduct panel after allegedly angrily swearing at Det Chief Supt Glenn Maleary in a row over the performance of the force control room where all calls are handed at the police’s Chelmsford headquarters.

He is also alleged to have pushed and thrown a stress ball at Chief Supt Carl O’Malley in two separate incidents while they were in meetings alongside the then Assistant Chief Constable Maurice Mason.

Mr Horne denies all three allegations.

At Chelmsford Civic Hall, the misconduct panel heard the first confrontation, in June 2015 when Mr Horne was Assistant Chief Constable, came after he had visited the force control room which Mr Maleary was in charge of.

Mr Horne said he was worried about the number of unallocated domestic violence incidents at the time which was more than 370 when any more than 40 was considered dangerous.

He said: “When the volume gets so high it becomes impossible to find the risk.

“I was concerned somebody, someone, somewhere had been seriously hurt or worse.

“I was angry but I have no recollection of swearing at Glenn.

“The incident with him on the day was never that significant and I don’t say that to dismiss the allegations.

“I remember speaking to him in the vicinity of the force control room and the extent of that conversation about getting a grip or facing the challenges we had.”

It is alleged Mr Horne used the c-word in the conversation - but he denies it is a word he ever uses in any setting to anyone.

He said: “That word is just not a word I would ever, use, think or say in any context professional or private.

“It would not surprise anyone to hear in police meetings, language can be a bit choice but that word is not one I use.”

During Mr Horne’s career he has worked on cases including the Leveson Inquiry and the Royal wedding between Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. Mr Horne told the hearing he did not remember ever pushing anyone or throwing a stress ball at a colleague and said he had a good working professional relationship with Mr O’Malley and Mr Mason.

He said: “I have no recollection of the incident as described by Carl.

“It was certainly common for me to go to their offices and I probably did that more than they would come to mine.

“Without a date or subject of conversation I find it really difficult to find any sort of hook which may remind me of an incident.”

The misconduct hearing is due to finish on Friday where chairman Dorian Lovell-Pank will reveal whether the panel will decide whether the alleged incidents are proven or not or if Mr Horne has committed misconduct or gross misconduct.

If the allegations are proven then another hearing will be held to decide on an appropriate punishment.