Former officer found guilty of gross misconduct
On Monday 17 April 2023, a former detective sergeant was found guilty of gross misconduct.
Had he still been serving, Detective Sergeant Justin Clifford would have been dismissed without notice from Devon and Cornwall Police, after members of the misconduct panel found that his actions amounted to gross misconduct.
He will now be submitted to the College of Policing Barred list.
Former DS Clifford faced allegations that between 21 October 2017 and the 31 January 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 between 21 October 2017 and the 31 January 2019 the officer made false, misleading, or inaccurate records on the working time record which did not accurately reflect the hours that the officer actually worked and claimed payment for those unworked hours.
It was also alleged that on two dates, 7 May 2018 and 28 May 2018, the officer was required to attend for duty but failed to do so. Having failed to attend for duty on those Bank Holidays, the officer claimed payment for those unattended and unworked duties.
Following the one-day public hearing, the panel concluded that the allegations were proven, and that former DS 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.”
