PC cautioned for leaving children alone is sacked

A police constable cautioned for child neglect months after being appointed has been dismissed without notice following an accelerated misconduct hearing.

The officer, who joined Gloucestershire Constabulary in March 2025, was issued with a conditional caution in December 2025 after he admitted to leaving three children alone at an address for about an hour in November 2024.

Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said she had "little hesitation in concluding the officer's actions amounted to gross misconduct and needed to be dismissed".

The force said the officer was also added to the police barred list after the hearing held at its Waterwells headquarters on 2 October.

The hearing was held to assess whether as a serving constable, the officer would be able to continue his role considering how the the offence might affect public trust.

The panel concluded the officer had breached the professional standard of discreditable conduct.

This states that police officers are expected to behave in a manner which does not discredit the police service or undermine public confidence in it, whether on duty or not.

Blyth, who chaired the hearing, determined the officer's actions amounted to gross misconduct and he was dismissed instantly.

Blyth said the force is committed to protecting children and any officer who fails in their duty to uphold this "has no place in our police force".

"We have robust vetting processes which prevent those whose behaviour and conduct fall below the standards we and the public expect from joining the constabulary," she said.

"An investigation was launched as soon as the neglect came to light, and a misconduct hearing was fast-tracked as soon as he was given a caution."

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