Misconduct hearing outcome for Lincolnshire Police Officer
Police Constable Smith was found to have breached multiple standards of professional behaviour
A misconduct hearing was held for the Lincolnshire Police Constable Hayley Smith who was based at Skegness police station.
Police Constable Smith was found to have breached multiple standards of professional behaviour, such as: use of force; authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.
It was found that on Saturday 13 July 2024, the officer breached the standards of professional behaviour when they used excessive or unreasonable force and failed to act with self-control and tolerance towards a detained person, undermining public confidence in the police service.
At the two-day hearing at Force Headquarters, Nettleham, the chair of the panel, ACC Nicola Mayo, found all breaches proven and that they amounted to gross misconduct.
The conduct of PC Smith was deemed improper at the time of the incident in question by deviating from force policy in using PAVA spray in the manner in which she did.
It was acknowledged that the misconduct was short-lived and was a single episode, confined to a short duration and that she was acting pursuant to a legitimate policing purpose.
PC Smith was recognised to be of good character, passionate and committed to policing.
The outcome of the hearing was that PC Hayley Smith was issued a final written warning which will remain active for a period of two years.