Officer given final written warning after ‘unauthorised blue light run’ to pick up friends
A Sussex Police officer who drove a police vehicle on ‘blue lights’ to pick up friends from a night out has been given an extended final written warning.
A gross misconduct hearing on Friday (March 31) heard that on July 31 last year, PC Robert Potts, 43, had driven the police vehicle on an unauthorised ‘blue light run’ from Uckfield to Eastbourne to collect three friends from a night out.
He activated the blue lights, causing other cars to pull over, crossed over double white lines, exceeded the speed limit, and went through a red light.
This was contrary to road traffic legislation for no policing purpose and it was further alleged that in so doing, PC Potts took himself and a junior colleague away from their lawful duties, said Sussex Police.
As a result, he was alleged to have breached standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct, orders and instructions, and duties and responsibilities.
The breaches were proven by the panel and it ruled that PC Potts be given an extended three-year final written warning for gross misconduct.
Chief Superintendent Steve Rayland, head of the Professional Standards Department, said: “We expect our officers to act with the utmost integrity, and in accordance with the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Professional Behaviour. The actions of this officer in this case fell far short of the standards we expect.”