A police detective has admitted gross misconduct after she pretended to have most cancers to get day without work work.
Detective Sergeant Vikki Costello, who labored for Kent Police, falsely claimed to be affected by cervical most cancers to take day without work.
The officer repeatedly informed her employer and colleagues she was unwell, pretended she was present process therapy and even submitted sick notes.
After her deception was found, the officer refused to launch her medical data or any proof to show she was being handled for most cancers.
Detective Sergeant Vikki Costello, who labored for Kent Police, falsely claimed to be affected by cervical most cancers to take day without work
She additionally declined to be interviewed or reply to any questions, Kent Police mentioned.
A misconduct listening to earlier this month at Kent Police HQ in Gravesend heard: ‘[DS Costello] falsely claimed to be affected by most cancers with the consequence that her workload was diminished and he or she was allowed day without work for therapy on account of her declare that she was unwell.’
The listening to was informed she had expressed regret for her actions and admitted the deception.
Eileen Herlihy, chair of the misconduct listening to, mentioned: ‘We discover that the officer repeatedly and falsely claimed to be affected by most cancers which she knew to be unfaithful.
‘Individually and collectively we discover that the allegations are confirmed and are critical as they relate to claims made by the officer which she knew to be unfaithful, which she had repeatedly revamped an prolonged time period to her colleagues and employer.
‘The results of her false claims had been that she undermined the belief that her colleagues may place in her, that she clearly breached the duty that cops are required to be sincere, and elevated the burden on colleagues and different officers on account of her quite a few absences from work and the diminished working sample which she was afforded.
‘Such actions have the potential to convey critical discredit on Kent Police.
‘We discover that her behaviour breached the Requirements of Skilled Behaviour in respect of honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct.’
Of their findings revealed this week, the panel concluded by saying had the officer not resigned, she would have been dismissed.
The listening to panel added that Ms Costello was affected by nervousness that was proven in her sick notes and occupational well being data.
However Kent Police mentioned a lot of this was on account of her claimed most cancers prognosis.
And though the pressure accepted she could have additionally been affected by nervousness for different causes, this has ‘restricted weight’ compared to sustaining public confidence, the panel discovered.
She has accepted her behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and has expressed regret for her behaviour, the panel added.
Kent Police refused to say the place within the county DS Costello had labored, however did affirm there had been no felony investigation into her actions.
DCI Natalie Potter, of the pressure’s Skilled Requirements Division, mentioned: ‘We all the time anticipate the best requirements of professionalism and conduct from all officers and workers, and the overwhelming majority serve in keeping with these expectations.
‘Those that fall quick will all the time face scrutiny and proportionately sturdy motion.
‘As quickly because the allegations had been reported, we took immediate motion to carry the officer to account.
‘Now that this consequence has been decided by an unbiased panel, we might be inserting DS Costello on the School of Policing’s police barred record.’
