Gross misconduct hearing for two Kent Police Gypsy Liaison Team members

15 Mar 2019 12:57 PM

Two Kent Police officers will face a gross misconduct hearing over allegations they entered a property unlawfully and were disrespectful to the occupants. Another officer will appear at the hearing for making a misleading statement in respect of the incident.

On 31 May 2017, police constables Sacha Azizi, Daniel Baker and Jai Shoker, of Kent Police’s Gypsy Liaison Team, attended a property in Chatham, Kent, to locate and arrest a woman in relation to an arson offence.

During the visit it is alleged that PC’s Azizi and Baker entered the property unlawfully, that PC Azizi misled the occupant into believing the officers had a warrant to enter the property, that PC Baker failed to challenge this misleading remark and that they continued to search the property despite the occupant repeatedly asking them to leave.

Upon leaving, it is alleged that PC Azizi made derogatory comments towards the occupants and that PC Baker failed to challenge these.

It is also alleged that PC Shoker gave a misleading account about the incident.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) carried out an investigation, which was completed in June 2018, and concluded the three officers have cases to answer for grossmisconduct as follows.

PC’s Azizi and Baker in respect of: authority, respect and courtesy; discreditable conduct; duties and responsibilities; and honesty and integrity. It is also alleged that PC Baker breached Standards of Professional Behaviour for failing to challenge and report improper conduct.

PC Shoker is alleged to have given a misleading account during the investigation, and prior to the referral to the IOPC, and therefore breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of honesty and integrity.

The force agreed and the gross misconduct hearing for the three officers will be held in public at Kent Police Headquarters, Maidstone, Kent, from 18 March 2019.