Northumbria Police officer dismissed after taking kit including batons and handcuffs home with him
by Nicole Goodwin · ChronicleLiveA police officer has been dismissed after being in possession of police equipment, including batons and handcuffs, at his home.
PC Daniel Hedley claimed he had brought a Northumbria Police baton home for officer safety training after being found with equipment, spare uniform and paperwork at his home. But a police misconduct hearing rejected his claim and concluded that the officer "simply liked to have police kit at home".
His actions were found to amount to gross misconduct and he was dismissed without notice. He will also be entered onto the College of Policing barred list.
PC Hedley joined the Northumbria Police force in 2019, having previously served for the British Transport Police (BTP). Among the three batons found at his home, two were issued to the officer during his time with the BTP.
The officer claimed that he had forgot to hand in the kit after leaving the BTP. However, the misconduct hearing once again rejected PC Hedley's claim and ruled that he did not hand back the items because he wanted to keep them.
In relation to the Northumbria Police baton at his home, PC Hedley said he had the baton at home for his officer safety training. But a search of his locker at Middle Engine Lane in Wallsend also found a baton attached to a utility belt and his body armour.
The hearing concluded that both of these items would be have been required for the training and therefore did not accept the officer's claims.
The hearing comes after PC Hedley pleaded guilty at Teesside Magistrates’ Court in October to three counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place. He was sentenced to a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay costs.
PC Hedley was dismissed after it was ruled that it would not be appropriate for the officer to continue in his role following criminal offences.
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