Faked surgeon letter sees police officer barred

Clara Bullock
BBC News, Wiltshire
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Chloe Stokes handed the faked medical letter in to her line manager

A police officer who faked a letter claiming it was from a surgeon has been banned.

Chloe Stokes' behaviour amounted to gross misconduct, a Wiltshire Police hearing was told. She resigned two days before the hearing took place.

Ms Stokes handed in a letter claiming to be from a consultant surgeon, but she had written it herself. The letter, of which police would not reveal the contents, was submitted with the intention it would be acted on.

Had she not quit, the hearing was told she would have been sacked with police saying they expect the "highest standards of professional behaviour" from their officers.

The hearing was held at Wiltshire Police Headquarters and chaired by assistant chief constable Deb Smith.

All three allegations were upheld that Ms Stokes' actions were in breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour for police officers in relation to honesty and integrity, and discreditable conduct.

Ms Stokes will also be placed on the national barred list which means she will not be able to work in policing in the future.

Det Ch Cons Mark Cooper said: "Our communities rightly expect nothing but the highest standards of professional behaviour from all our officers and staff.

"We continue to encourage and enable all members of our organisation to report concerns they have regarding a colleague's behaviour and we won't hesitate to investigate without fear or favour."

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