Retired officer placed on police barred list after buying alcohol for underage person

A retired police officer would have been dismissed if he still served in the force after buying alcohol for an underage person while off-duty.

A misconduct hearing was held at Nottinghamshire Police Headquarters at Sherwood Lodge on Friday 29 November.

The proceedings were held by a three-person panel led by an independent legally qualified chair.

Former Sergeant Paul Clarke, who was based in the custody suite, ceased to be an officer once the allegations were made to the force’s Professional Standards Directorate. The hearing heard he had been retired on medical grounds.

The hearing heard that on March 11 2023, Sgt Clarke went to a pub with a group of people where he purchased alcoholic drinks for a girl in the group he knew.

She was 16-years-old. The legal age is 18. 

The panel found he was also aware that another woman he was drinking with was in possession of cannabis and took no action. The former officer had denied this accusation but the panel concluded he had been aware after viewing CCTV evidence from inside the pub.

It was found that he breached standards of professional behaviour including honesty and integrity. The panel concluded he had failed to perform his duties and responsibilities and that he had shown discreditable conduct.

If he was still serving, he would have been dismissed from the force. He will now be placed on police barred list.

Chief Constable Kate Meynell said:

“This officer’s behaviour is unacceptable and I support the decision of the panel, which was led by an independent legally qualified chair.

“Officers must ensure they maintain the exceptionally high standards expected of them whether they are on or off duty.

“This officer purchased alcoholic drinks for a minor and allowed someone to commit a criminal offence such as being in possession of cannabis and failed to act.

“The vast majority of our officers work extremely hard to keep our community safe and carry out their duties to a high professional standard.

“This is why we will always ensure those who don’t meet these standards will be dealt with robustly and removed from our organisation.”