Former Special Constabulary Sergeant guilty of gross misconduct
On Wednesday 5 July, members of a misconduct panel found that former Special Constabulary Sergeant Victor Lafferty’s actions amounted to gross misconduct.
Special Sergeant [SS] Lafferty faced, and was found guilty of, the following allegations:
1) Between 01/06/21 and 07/04/22 when not on duty, viewed police intelligence systems being 1208 Storm Logs when he had no policing purpose for doing so.
2) Between 07/11/21 and 08/11/21 viewed a log of an incident at premises connected to the family of the officer.
3) Between 01/06/21 and 07/04/22 when on duty, viewed up to 80 logs without a policing purpose for doing so.
4) On 12/08/21 viewed logs relating to the Plymouth area having no policing purpose for doing so.
The above is in contravention of Devon and Cornwall Police data policy and breaching standards of:
i) Duties and responsibilities,
ii) Confidentiality,
iii) Discreditable conduct.
The panel determined that had SS Lafferty been a serving officer he would be dismissed. The full findings can be found here.
Head of Professional Standards, Superintendent Jo Arundale said: "All of our officers are expected to fulfil their duties to high standards within policing and on this occasion, the officer has fallen below that expectation.
"As a result of his actions, he has undermined the public's trust and confidence in the police force.
"Conduct of this kind will not be tolerated within Devon & Cornwall Police and therefore this was the right and proper outcome."