Shoplifting cop loses job  

Avon and Somerset Police has dismissed an officer who was caught red-handed for shoplifting.

The officer, whose identity was not revealed for legal reasons and referred to as PC S, admitted to stealing items from Sainsbury’s supermarket in Winterstoke Road, Bristol on 6 September.

The officer was stopped by a security guard when he tried to leave the store without paying for £75.04 worth of goods. He allegedly chose not to self-scan some of the items as he could not afford to pay for all the items he needed.

At a misconduct hearing on 4 November, Chief Constable Andy Marsh found allegations of gross misconduct were proven and dismissed the officer without notice.

“PC S’s conduct is one of dishonesty and without doubt will cause significant harm to the confidence of the public in their police. His dismissal will help restore confidence by making it clear that such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable within policing,” the chief constable said in his findings.

The officer, who has been in the force for almost two years, will also be entered onto the barred list, preventing him from any involvement in any role in policing in the future.