A police officer who was caught stealing from a supermarket has been found guilty of gross misconduct.
PC Sam Rigby, a former rural community beat manager in Skelmersdale, was seen on CCTV taking items from the shelves of Sainsbury's at Manchester Piccadilly station on February 2 of this year. According to details in a previous hearing, PC Rigby, is said to have placed goods in his coat pocket and left without paying.
He was arrested on suspicion of theft and interviewed by Lancashire Police's Professional Standards Department on allegations of misconduct. Chief Constable Chris Rowley said the officer would have been dismissed but PC Rigby handed in his notice before the misconduct hearing took place Lancs Live reports.
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During a hearing held at Ormskirk police station on Tuesday August 2, Lisa Fletcher, head of legal services and professional standards for the Appropriate Authority (Lancashire Constabulary) outlined the case against the officer. She said: "It is important to remember that the purpose of these proceedings are to protect public confidence and reputation.
"Operational dishonesty affects all those factors."
She said officers make a commitment to act with honesty and integrity at all times. "PC Rigby was acting in a clearly dishonest manner", she said. "This demonstrates a clear disregard for the obligation of integrity placed in him. He knew it was wrong, and that the general public would find it wrong."
Ms Fletcher added the matters amounted to "gross misconduct and to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour of Honesty and Integrity and Discreditable Conduct.”
Chief Constable Rowley said: "PC Rigby has chosen not to attend (the misconduct hearing) or make representations. From the CCTV in store and his response during the misconduct interview I am satisfied he has breached honesty, integrity and professional standards of behaviour.
"The policing profession has a duty to protect the public and prevent crime. The public expects everybody to fulfil this duty to the highest standards of selfless service. Any unprofessional behaviour detracts from the service provided to the public."
The Chief Constable said he had considered Home Office Guidance and the College of Policing's Code of Ethics and that PC Rigby's behaviour on February 2 amounted to gross misconduct.
The officer, who formerly worked as a Rural Community Beat Manager in Skelmersdale, did not attend the hearing at Ormskirk Police Station on Tuesday August 8. He handed in his notice with effect from July 31.
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