A police inspector who falsely told a colleague that a member of the public belonged to the IRA has avoided losing his job.
Inspector Simon Barden’s statement led to a significant amount of time and resources being wasted investigating his false claim.
He also faced allegations that he had informed a former partner that she was in danger when he did not believe that to be the case and threatened to plant cocaine in the car of the daughter of his former partner.
After a disciplinary hearing this week at Sussex Police’s Lewes HQ, a panel decided: “You told a colleague that a member of the public had been in the IRA without taking sufficient care to communicate your understanding as to the accuracy/ certainty of this information, despite knowing that this would result in police time being spent researching the member of the public and any threat to you and your family (lack of integrity).”
This behaviour breached standards of professional behaviour and amounted to gross misconduct. All the other allegations were not proven. The officer was given a final written warning for four years.
Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme, Deputy head of Professional Standards said: “The actions of this officer on this occasion were not in line with the values and standards that we expect, lacking honesty and integrity.
“The report that Inspector Barden made prompted a response from his colleagues in good faith, potentially diverting resources away from other public duties.”
