Sussex Police officers dismissed without public being told

According to data from the Police Barred List, 21 Sussex Police Officers have been dismissed from the force since 2017.

The Argus has reported on several of these, including Det Con Richard Holder, who was sacked for selling himself for sex while on sick leave, and PC Alexander Walsh, who was dismissed for stalking a woman.

However, many other dismissals – including the wrong-doings levied against them – have been kept from the public at the direction of a Legally Qualified Chair (LQC).

The LQC decides whether a dismissal will be “heard in private” and is appointed by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The Argus has not been told who that is by the PCC.

This may be done where the naming of an officer “could risk the identification of a vulnerable victim or complainant”.

However, it can also be requested by the officers themselves.

Ex-PC James Breeds was found to be one of the mystery ex-police officers no longer allowed to work for the force after being dismissed “in private”.

Ex-PC James Breeds in 2018

Sussex Police confirmed his dismissal when contacted – prompting questions from The Argus as to why this was not made public at the time.

Another mystery officer has been found by chance after Sussex Police refused to name those dismissed. 

Misconduct hearings into people in positions of trust are held in the open, including nurses and midwives, dentists, doctors and teachers.

Details from those public reports may be redacted, such as the name of a school or the identity of a victim.

Sussex Police were asked to state how many officers had been dismissed in private in recent years.

It responded that since 2015, there have been 16 hearings “held in private” and away from public view out of a total of 57.

The force said that “only the most serious misconduct cases are considered by a hearing”.

Sussex Police responds 

“We expect the highest personal and professional standards of its officers and any allegations of behaviour that do not meet those standards are rigorously investigated in accordance with Police Conduct Regulations. 

“Police misconduct procedures are set nationally and Sussex Police publishes information in line with these. In addition, police dismissal information for all police forces is published annually by the College of Policing.

“The majority of misconduct hearings in Sussex are held in public with public access to this information. Where an LQC directs that a hearing is to be held in private, we are unable to confirm details relating to the proceedings without their explicit direction. This is the national position. 

“A national police Barred List is held to prevent those dismissed from policing from re-entering the service. In accordance with regulations, Sussex Police provides information to the College of Policing for consideration of inclusion on the Barred List.”

The office of Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner was also contacted by The Argus for comment.