A cop who went to a 'known dogging site' in a patrol car for 'no policing reason' has been sacked from a force after a disciplinary hearing.
An independent panel found a series of allegations waged against police constable Tony Hughes were proved.
PC Hughes, as a result, was found to have 'breached several standards of professional behaviour', with the panel saying his actions 'collectively amounted to gross misconduct'. He was serving as a British Transport Police officer based in Chester, Cheshire, but has now been 'dismissed with notice' after the five-day hearing in York.
The force said it was alleged that between November 2022 and July 2023, he had lied about the reason for being removed from a force driving course, breached the BTP Driving Standards Policy, and attended a known 'dogging' site in a police vehicle with no policing purpose.
In a now published statement, BTP said: "Police Constable Tony Hughes, based in Chester, attended the hearing where allegations were put forward that he breached the standard of professional behaviour, namely ‘Honesty and Integrity’, ‘Orders and Instructions’, ‘Discreditable Conduct’, and ‘Duties and Responsibilities’.
"PC Hughes admitted breaching the Driving Standards Policy but denied the other allegations.
"The independent panel found all allegations proven and that the officer’s behaviour collectively amounted to gross misconduct."
Detective Superintendent Peter Fulton, Head of the Professional Standards Department (PSD) said: “Hughes used the force vehicles both in an unsafe and inappropriate manner, breaching several standards of professional behaviour that we expect of our officers.”
“A thorough investigation was conducted by PSD which has resulted in the independent panel being able to make today’s decision.”
No further details were revealed.
