World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Police officer dismissed for taking Sainsbury’s carrier bags without paying
Volunteer police officer Hodgson was dismissed after taking carrier bags without paying at a Sainsbury’s store.
Published accounts differ on the value: one gives 40p, another says three bags cost £1.20.
He had been trained to use self-service tills, where customers had to confirm that they had not taken a bag, and had paid for bags on other occasions.
The hearing found his actions were dishonest, saying even a small loss could damage public trust in police officers.
Hodgson repaid the money, co-operated with the investigation and had no previous recorded concerns during his service.
He was dismissed without notice and barred from future police service.
A police officer identified as Hodgson was dismissed without notice after taking Sainsbury’s carrier bags without paying.
The BBC reported the bags were worth 40p, while The Telegraph’s headline said three bags were worth £1.20.
The misconduct hearing concluded that Hodgson had acted dishonestly and breached the standards expected of police officers.
Hodgson repaid the money and co-operated with the investigation, but will be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list.
- Who
- Police officer Hodgson, described as a volunteer officer in ITVX’s headline.
- What
- He was dismissed without notice after taking Sainsbury’s carrier bags without paying.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- At a Sainsbury’s store; the store’s location is not stated.
- Why
- The misconduct hearing found that he had deliberately avoided payment, which it said was incompatible with the required standards of integrity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hodgson took Sainsbury’s carrier bags without paying, despite having been trained to use self-service tills.
Cooper concluded that the action was dishonest and that Hodgson should be dismissed.
Hodgson was dismissed without notice and will be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list.
- Officer
- Hodgson
- Store
- Sainsbury’s
- Value reported by BBC
- 40p
- Value reported by The Telegraph
- Three bags worth £1.20
- Outcome
- Dismissed without notice and to be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list
What people are saying
an ordinary person would consider this action, to avoid payment when it was obviously required, to be dishonest
not compatible with the high standards of integrity that are required of the service
Sources
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