A COLCHESTER cop has been dismissed from Essex Police after a misconduct panel found his behaviour had amounted to “gross misconduct”.

PC Simon Lofting denied six breaches of professional standards.

The panel found that, between 2014 and 2015, PC Simon Lofting, who worked in the force’s marine unit, intentionally misled Essex Police officers about the purpose of a request for information.

It also found PC Lofting had carried out work for a private membership organisation during working time, contrary to the instruction of a supervisor and despite having assured the supervisor that this was not the case.

The panel also heard that PC Lofting, in failing to register a business interest for a property he owned which was being privately rented, knowingly acted in a manner he knew to be wrong.

The panel, headed by independent legally-qualified Chair Mr Steven Evans, found that PC Lofting’s conduct had breached the standards of professional behaviour in terms of honesty and integrity.

After the hearing, Assistant Chief Constable Carl O’Malley said: “Public trust in policing depends on the honesty and integrity of police officers being beyond reproach.

Read the full story at http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/14708797.Colchester_police_officer_dismissed_for_gross_misconduct/