Ex-police officer faces dismissal after misconduct hearing
Hearing finds inappropriate conduct with witness during investigation
A former Northamptonshire police officer, PC Anthony Lee, was found to have engaged in gross misconduct during a hearing chaired by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet on 12th October.
The proceedings focused on allegations regarding inappropriate communications between PC Lee and a witness involved in a burglary investigation in Northampton. Beginning in the early hours of 27th December 2022, PC Lee communicated with the witness via text messages on his work phone, followed by WhatsApp messages from his personal phone, which was deemed improper as it shifted to flirtatious and sexual interactions.
The situation escalated on or around 7th January 2023 when PC Lee's relationship with the witness became intimate, continuing sporadically until December 2024. This behaviour was considered an abuse of police position for sexual purposes, violating professional standards of honesty, integrity, and discreditable conduct.
The officer, aware of the impropriety, continued the relationship, posing a threat to public confidence in the police service. He had resigned before the hearing and did not attend.
Chief Constable Balhatchet determined that PC Lee would have been dismissed without notice had he still been serving.