Northamptonshire PC's final written warning over claims "white substance" disappeared during drugs swoop
A Northamptonshire Police officer has been given a final written warning for mishandling stop-and-search evidence after witnessing a drugs deal in the town.
PC Will Corlett admitted he breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour by failing to document a "white substance" confiscated from a suspect in February 2019.
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Hide AdA three-day disciplnary hearing held last month at Force HQ was told PC Corlett had been involved in a stop and search of two individuals having witnessed what he suspected to be a drug deal.
He spoke to one of the individuals — referred to as 'K' during the hearing — and confiscated a white substance for which K indicated he had paid £10.
The circumstances of the transaction and the involvement of the second individual — referred to as 'B' — along with the white substance was not booked in and no record was made of its existence, confiscation and/or disposal.
PC Corlett also omitted reference to the white substance in the course of intelligence he later submitted about K’s association with B.
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Hide AdThe constable also admitting breaching Standards of Professional Behaviour in January 2019 when there were insufficient grounds to justify a stop and search.
But the panel ruled not proven a third allegation not proven after "prolonged deliberation" over a claim PC Corlett had not dealt appropriately with a person suspected of possessing cannabis and correctly handled of a confiscated cigarette.
Documents confirming the outcome revealed the panel decided the two matters amounted to "misconduct as opposed to gross misconduct" and determined the most suitable outcome was a final written warning, which will remain in place for 18 months.