A SOUTHEND police officer has been sacked after committing gross misconduct.

PC Daniel Barber, an Essex police officer who was based in Southend, was found guilty of gross misconduct after he lied to a supervisor during an investigation in 2016.

Barber, who was allocated an assault investigation, told the custody sergeant reviewing the bail which was granted to the suspect, that his supervisor had authorised that no further action should be taken against the suspect.

The custody sergeant subsequently cancelled the suspect’s bail.

It later emerged that no such decision had been made.

The suspect in the case was subsequently charged, went to court and was found not guilty.

An Essex Police misconduct hearing was held from 26 September and 1 October and PC Barber was accused of breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity.

The panel found the allegations were proven and PC Barber was dismissed without notice.

Pippa Mills, deputy Chief Constable said: “We police with the consent of the public so it is essential we have their trust and confidence.

“If an officer is dishonest it undermines that trust and confidence, particularly when it impacts on an ongoing investigation.

“PC Barber’s actions could have had led to someone not going to court and depriving a victim of the chance of getting justice.

“That is just not acceptable.”