Lincolnshire Police officer dismissed after paying off vulnerable person's drug debt and buying them food

An accelerated misconduct hearing was held on Wednesday 5 August for Inspector Andrew Price at Police Headquarters.

Inspector Price, who was based in the East Lindsey area, was found to have breached the following standards of professional behaviour:

• Honesty and Integrity (Integrity Only) • Discreditable Conduct • Orders and Instructions

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: “It was found the officer breached the standards of professional behaviour when he pleaded guilty on 26 May at Nottingham Magistrates Court to being in possession of Pava spray, contrary to the Firearms Act 1968. The officer’s Pava was found in the boot of his car; when not being carried it must be stored securely in a police station.

“It was also found the officer breached the standards of professional behaviour when he had, over an extensive period, continued contact with person A, a vulnerable member of the public. It was found that the initial engagement with Person A was on the basis of his formal duties. However, over time he failed to maintain professional boundaries by meeting ‘Person A’ outside of his duties and his actions could have a serious impact on the public’s confidence in the police service.”

The hearing heard the police officer met Person A as a result of his duties, when he tried to provide support and arrange housing.

"The officer crossed expected boundaries when he went onto buy person A food or shopping, went to a quiz and when the officer paid off a drug debt,” the spokesperson continued. “In addition, he advised person A not to report a crime to police and took no action in reporting the matter himself.”

The chair of the hearing, Chief Constable Gibson, found the breaches proven and that the conduct of Inspector Price amounted to gross misconduct.

The outcome of the hearing was that Inspector Andrew Price was dismissed from the force without notice.