Officer on holiday after lying about illness quits

A former police officer who went on holiday while on long-term sick leave for a mobility problem would have been dismissed without notice if she had not resigned, a misconduct hearing has found.

Claire Reeves was a response officer in Cannock, Staffordshire, but went off sick after she claimed to have a medical condition that seriously affected her mobility.

Concerns were raised after she was seen in a supermarket and at an airport lifting suitcases and walking freely without aids.

Staffordshire Police confirmed Reeves would be placed on the College of Policing's barred list, preventing her from working in police or other law enforcement bodies.

Deputy chief constable Becky Riggs said: "This was a planned and methodical approach to deceive by Reeves for financial gain, which included various and repeated denials to various individuals.

"We will continue to take robust action against any officer or member of staff who doesn't act with the highest standards of integrity."

Ms Reeves resigned on 15 August after an investigation by the force's professional standards department.

The force said she had been off sick since April 2023. She said she was unable to perform any operational duties and could only sit for short periods.

In May 2024, she said her condition was so bad that she struggled to do the most daily tasks.

She was seeking medical retirement from the force, they added.

Officers said CCTV footage from Birmingham Airport showed Reeves lifting suitcases onto a baggage carousel, bending down, walking freely without aids and standing for long periods.

A one-day hearing, conducted by chief constable Chris Noble on 27 March, found she had breached standards relating to honesty and integrity.

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