A police force is considering its“legal options” over an officer who urinated in a shop changing room while drunk and off-duty, and who later lied about it.
Amelia Shearer, 24, was found guilty of gross misconduct at a disciplinary hearing this week, following the incident that took place at the York branch of Urban Outfitters. Shearer was given a final written warning that will last five years.
Chief Constable Mark Webster of Cleveland police, which Shearer joined as a junior officer in 2019, has expressed concern about the outcome of the disciplinary hearing, saying Shearer’s actions were “incompatible” with the force’s expectations of its officers and that “legal options” were being explored.
Webster said: “Officers must adhere to the highest standards of behaviour and exemplify our values, whether on or off duty. The actions of this officer are incompatible with my expectations for those who serve in Cleveland and out of keeping with their role, which other officers uphold with pride and integrity.
“Cleveland police’s department of standards and ethics prepare evidence for misconduct hearings. Evidence is heard and a determination made by a panel chaired by an independent, legally qualified chair.
“The misconduct process is in place to protect our standards and ensure public confidence in policing so we are concerned by the outcome determined at yesterday’s hearing. We are now considering the legal options available to us.”
The incident, which occurred in September, happened after Shearer and a friend had multiple drinks at a bottomless brunch, before having more drinks at another venue.
The hearing heard evidence from an Urban Outfitters employee who was asked by Shearer if the store had toilets. She was told “no” and immediately went into a cubicle without trying on any clothes. The employee radioed for his manager, and when Shearer came out of the cubicle, they saw a pool of what smelled like urine on the floor. Although she hurriedly left the shop, Shearer was later tracked down in the city by police.
Shearer strenuously denied having urinated, but did acknowledge she and her friend were “loud and giggly”.
The store paid £492 to have the cubicle professionally cleaned and the retailer’s nine fitting rooms had to be temporarily closed.
Olivia Checa-Dover, the barrister representing the force, told the panel its findings that Shearer had been dishonest meant she was now “undeployable” as an officer.
Shearer lied while being questioned on oath, which would have to be disclosed to defence lawyers in any future investigations she carried out, Checa-Dover said.
Joan Smith, representing Shearer, had urged the panel to take the unusual step of not immediately sacking her given her good references about progress during her first year on the job.
Smith said: “There is a place for her in Cleveland police and there is the potential for her to flourish in this police force with the appropriate guidance.” After deliberating for several hours on Wednesday afternoon, the panel pulled back from ruling she should be fired immediately.
Shearer, who studied a master’s in criminal investigations before joining the force, cried when she heard the outcome.
