A Northamptonshire police officer, Jody Lathwell, has appeared at Northampton Crown Court to receive sentencing for the offence of misconduct in a public office.
In November 2023, PC Jody Lathwell, a response officer stationed in Northampton, transmitted a sexually explicit communication to an individual he presumed to be a member of the public whom he encountered during his policing responsibilities.
The incident was reported to Northamptonshire Police, and PC Jody Lathwell was suspended during the investigation conducted by the Force’s Counter Corruption Unit.
The 44-year-old, Jody Lathwell, was later charged with one count of misconduct in a public office, to which he pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court on April 17 of this year.
Jody Lathwell reappeared in the same court yesterday (May 28), when he received a 32-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 100 hours of unpaid labour and 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days.
An expedited disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct occurred yesterday at the Northamptonshire Police Force Headquarters, presided over by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet.
Mr. Balhatchet concluded that the matter constituted severe misconduct and decided that PC Jody Lathwell should be fired without notice and added to the police prohibited list. [NEEDED A HEARING TO FIGURE THAT OUT].
Deputy Chief Constable Ash Tuckley said: “PC Jody Lathwell’s conduct fell well below the high standards that we expect all of our police officers to uphold so it is only right that he was dismissed without notice at the hearing yesterday.
“No one is above the law and I hope this case reassures the public that we are determined to root out corrupt practices in our profession without fear or favour.” [REASSURES?!]
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