A FORMER detective sergeant with Devon and Cornwall Police has been found guilty of gross misconduct.

Had he still been serving, Justin Clifford would have been dismissed without notice from the force after members of a misconduct panel found his actions amounted to gross misconduct.

He will now be submitted to the College of Policing Barred list.

Clifford faced allegations that between October 21, 2017, and January 31, 2019, he breached the standards appropriate to the conduct of a police officer in respect of honesty and integrity and duties and responsibilities.

It had been alleged that on 17 occasions he made false, misleading or inaccurate records on the working time record which did not accurately reflect the hours he had actually worked and claimed payment for those hours he had not worked.

It was also alleged that on two dates, May 7, 2018, and May 28, 2018, Clifford was required to attend for duty but failed to do so. Having failed to attend for duty on those Bank Holidays, he claimed payment for those unattended and unworked duties.

Following a one-day public hearing, the panel concluded the allegations were proven, and that Clifford had breached the expected standards of professional behaviour.

The panel determined that had the officer still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice and his details will be submitted to the College of Policing Barred List, preventing him from working within policing.

Head of Professional Standards, Superintendent Jo Arundale said: “On this occasion the behaviour of the officer fell below the standards that members of the public have a right to expect within policing.

"The officer did not fulfil their duties and responsibilities and, as a result of his actions, he undermined the public’s trust and confidence in the police force.

“Such behaviour will not be tolerated within policing and the decision made by the panel is that the officer was dismissed without notice.”