A former special constable has barred from police work for life after a misconduct panel found he had been wrongfully claiming expenses on work he had not done.

Former special constable Michael Chandler allegedly claimed allowance and mileage for shifts he did not work and was found to have committed gross misconduct.

Special constables are volunteers and don’t get paid but they do get travel and expenses.

The panel heard Mr Chandler claimed for uncompleted tours of duty on nine occasions between August 2018 and June 2019, and on four occasions between September 2018 and February 2019.

Mr Chandler admitted making the claims, but stated he did so in a desire to show he had completed his minimum hours rather to profit financially.

At an Essex Police misconduct hearing held remotely via video link on Thursday, September 24, the panel, chaired by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington determined the allegations were proven and Mr Chandler had committed gross misconduct.

It was determined that had he not already resigned he would have been dismissed without notice. He has also been placed on the barred list.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “I expect the very highest standards of honesty and integrity of all my officers and staff. It is crucial to maintaining the public’s confidence in us.

“When, on one of the very small number of occasions, an officer falls below that standard we will address it, as we have in this case.

“Former Special Constable Chandler claimed to have carried out tours he had not completed and received recompense for that.

“His actions were dishonest and as a police force, that is something we cannot and will not tolerate or condone as it undermines the public trust and confidence the force works so hard to build and maintain.”

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