Two officers dismissed for gross misconduct

The vast majority of Essex Police officers behave with exceptional professionalism and a genuine spirit of public service keeping our communities safe, day in, day out. They deserve our respect and gratitude. However, when officers are found by our courts to have committed serious offences, it is right that a police disciplinary process takes place as quickly as possible. In the cases of Ben Hodder and Stephen Tilley, the officers have been dismissed with immediate effect. They will be placed on the national College of Policing Disapproved Register, meaning they can no longer serve as police officers. Chief Constable Kavanagh continues to show strong leadership, and the public should be reassured that serious misconduct has no place in our police force and will not be tolerated. As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am committed to openness and transparency with regard to police disciplinary matters, and I will continue to publish quarterly reports on misconduct on the PCC website. The quarterly reports into police misconduct published by the Police and Crime Commissioner can be found here. Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex