Northamptonshire police sergeant found guilty of gross misconduct over 'inappropriate' relationship

A former Northamptonshire Police sergeant was found guilty of gross misconduct after pursuing an inappropriate relationship with a member of the public.

Sgt Jim Risby faced a gross misconduct hearing at the police headquarters at Wootton Hall Park in Northampton on March 16.

It was alleged the officer breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to 'honesty and integrity', 'discreditable conduct' and 'authority, respect and courtesy'.

The allegations were substantially admitted by the officer, who chose not to be present at the hearing, according to a report of the hearing published on March 26.

"The panel found that three out of four allegations were proved and that the three standards of professional behaviour listed above had been breached," the report says.

"The conduct as a whole amounted to gross misconduct and the outcome was that the officer was dismissed without notice."