South Wales Police officer dismissed after gross misconduct allegations

A misconduct hearing in Bridgend considered allegations relating to the conduct of PC Sally Thomas, who was based in the force’s Central division.

The officer faced allegations of breaching two standards of professional conduct, namely honesty and integrity and duties and responsibilities.

Evidence was presented that the officer failed to inform a custody officer of injuries sustained by a woman during the course of an arrest in an incident in Maesteg.

After a complaint was made, the officer was interviewed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and made dishonest statements about the incident.

The officer appeared before an independent panel, consisting of a legally qualified chair, a Police Superintendent, and an independent member.

The panel found the allegations proven, and that the officer’s actions amounted to gross misconduct.

She was dismissed from the role with immediate effect.

Superintendent Mark Lenihan of the South Wales Police professional standards department said: “The officer was duty-bound to inform the custody officers about the injuries sustained by the woman during the course of the arrest so that she could be given appropriate medical attention.

“Not only did she fail in her professional duty to notify the custody officer, but the officer was also then dishonest when she was interviewed about the incident by the IOPC investigators.

“PC Thomas’s behaviour fell well below the standards expected by all police offices and this case has demonstrated that we will always ensure complaints from members of the public are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken.”