An off-duty police officer has been dismissed after attempting to obtain CCTV footage from Asda related to a car collision involving a family member. PC Brigitta Pal faced a misconduct hearing at Merseyside Police HQ and was found guilty of gross misconduct for her actions. The incident took place at Asda in Birchwood, Warrington, where a relative of Pal’s was involved in a minor collision.
Following the collision, the other party involved began receiving phone calls from an unknown number. Pal identified herself as a Merseyside Police officer and claimed the other party was at fault, stating she had witnessed the incident and seen CCTV footage at Asda. However, she did not provide contact details or fully disclose her relationship to the individuals involved.
Pal visited Asda to view the CCTV footage but failed to inform staff of her connection to the incident or provide full details. The former constable did not disclose her off-duty status during the incident. After Asda declined to release the footage without a crime reference number, a complaint was made, leading to an investigation by the force’s professional standards department.
The misconduct hearing determined that Pal had acted dishonestly and failed to meet professional standards of behaviour, specifically regarding honesty and integrity. Dismissed without notice, she will also face a minimum of five years on the College of Policing’s barred list. Merseyside Police’s Detective Chief Superintendent emphasised the force’s commitment to upholding high standards and thorough investigation of misconduct reports to maintain public confidence.
The actions of Constable Pal highlight the importance of maintaining integrity and honesty in all dealings, whether on or off duty. The public relies on law enforcement officers to uphold the law and demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour. It serves as a reminder of the consequences that can result from failing to meet these expectations.