A COVENTRY police officer faces the sack after a disciplinary hearing found she committed gross misconduct concerning allegations she dishonestly claimed a police widows pension while living with other people, breaching pension conditions.
PC Naomi Harman-Burton, a neighbourhood officer at Coventry, appeared in front of an independently chaired misconduct panel between Monday (13 January) and yesetrday (Wednesday), West Midlands Police said.
The allegations came to light after West Midlands Police pensions department received an anonymous letter and Crimestoppers information regarding PC Harman-Burton which suggested her alleged conduct stetched over a five-year period.
The PC was in receipt of an adult survivors pension following the death of her partner in 2006, the police added.
PC Harman-Burton denied living with any other people after the death of her partner, despite evidence proving that she had lived with other people, including having children and a joint mortgage with one.
The hearing concluded that her actions amounted to gross misconduct for honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct, West Midlands Police added in a media release.
Following the finding, the panel recommended PC Harman-Burton is dismissed without notice.
The police pension scheme terms around living with others have since changed, the force added.
Detective Chief Inspector Karen Greasley from the Professional Standards Department, said: “PC Harman-Burton was less than frank in her disclosures to the pensions department and the independent panel has now determined that she lied about her circumstances and gained financially as a result.
“This was an abuse of her position which brings discredit on herself, colleagues and the wider police service.
“There is no place for dishonest police officers in our force. The public must have the utmost confidence in the integrity of all police officers at all times, on or off duty.
“We take all allegations of improper conduct extremely seriously and we’re now seeking recovery of the money incorrectly paid.”
