A police officer who failed to correctly report a domestic violence incident involving a vulnerable woman has been sacked.

PC Shaun Cox went to a block of flats following reports of a disturbance in the street where he found the woman who told him she had been punched and strangled by her former partner.

An independent disciplinary panel heard how the man was already going through the court system as a result of an earlier domestic violence allegation.

The experienced Cleveland Police officer’s body-worn camera footage was shown to the panel where he is heard speaking to the woman and offering to help and support her.

The tribunal heard how the officer had accepted some failings in his behaviour but denied that it amounted to gross misconduct.

The allegations the officer faces are:

  • It is alleged that PC Cox failed to safeguard a vulnerable, repeat victim of domestic violence;
  • failed to complete and submit a crime report or public protection notice in relation to the alleged assault on Person A;
  • and made a false entry on police systems and knowingly omitted relevant information.

Oliver Thorne, representing Cleveland Police, said the officer failed in his duties to record the incident as a crime and failed to mention it during a shift handover.

Joan Smith, representing the officer, said her client would not be giving evidence during the hearing because he had given a consistent response throughout the investigation and had admitted his failings.

Gerald Sydenham, the legally qualified chairman of the panel, ruled that the gross misconduct allegations were proved and that the officer should be dismissed without notice.

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Speaking after the hearing, Superintendent John Miller, Head of Cleveland Police’s Department of Standards and Ethics, said: “Protecting people, protecting communities and putting victims at the heart of everything we do is of paramount importance to Cleveland Police.

“Safeguarding vulnerable victims is crucial, most importantly for that individual and making sure we protect them from further harm – but also to ensure we uphold trust and confidence in the service we provide.

“PC Cox chose to ignore the standards of professional behaviour and did not carry out basic tasks with integrity and honesty. His behaviour was unethical, and this is not something we tolerate here in Cleveland Police.

“We will continue to demand the very highest standards from each and every officer and member of staff within the force and take robust action when this is found not to be the case.”