A MISCONDUCT panel has found a former Essex officer would have been dismissed had he not already resigned from the force.

Ex-temporary Sergeant James Hicks was found to have committed gross misconduct at an accelerated hearing chaired by Chief Constable Ben Julian Harrington on Monday 16 February.

The panel heard ex-T/Sgt Hicks had been in a relationship with a police staff member, a woman. They had used police devices to communicate with each other.

Whilst on duty, ex-T/Sgt Hicks also attended the staff member's home without any apparent policing purpose and also turned his radio off, meaning there was no direct policing method of contacting him.

Ex-T/Sgt Hicks also used Microsoft Teams to share an image of a police-related incident to the woman which was not appropriate for onward sharing without a policing purpose.

On one occasion, the officer was also parked alone in a supermarket car park in a marked police car and did not respond to an emergency call to an incident which was taking place close to his location.

It was alleged that he had breached standards of professional behaviour in duties and responsibilities and discreditable conduct.

The panel found the allegations proved and that they amounted to gross misconduct.

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It found ex-T/Sgt Hicks would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned.

He will also be placed in Police Barred List.

Chief Constable Harrington said: "I expect supervisors to lead and set an example, supporting their colleagues and being available to respond to the needs of the public.

"I also expect all officers and staff to spend their time at work productively using systems and equipment to do their job not further their private lives.

"Importantly, everyone in policing must only share information where necessary to do their duty.

"Former PC Hicks was an experienced officer with nine years' service and a temporary sergeant so the responsibility and expectation on him from the force and the public was high.

"As a result, I have been left with only option to deal with his gross misconduct and that is that he would have been dismissed if he was still serving."