A “well respected” Herts police officer took two weeks off after "lying" about taking part in jury service.

Former PC Musa Khalek was struck off after a misconduct hearing on Friday, May 12.

The Hertfordshire Constabulary officer took “unauthorised leave at public expense”, according to the force’s chief constable.

He was due to sit on a jury for two weeks, starting on August 12, 2022.

But the courts stood down PC Khalek on August 17.

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“He then failed to attend work on the night shift of Monday, August 22,” a report by Chief Constable Charlie Hall reads.

“When spoken to by his line manager, lied and text him the court confirmation that he had been warned to attend jury service, but not that he had been stood down.

“He did not attend work or make contact with his supervisors further for the next two weeks.

“On September 2, 2022, he then text messaged his line manager stating it was the last day of his jury service, that it had not been extended, and that he would be back on the following Monday.”

The former officer sent a copy of his jury service notification to his supervisor by text after it was cancelled.

According to Chief Constable Hall, PC Khalek accepted his behaviour amounted to a breach of “honesty and integrity”, and “discreditable conduct”.

The chief constable added: “PC Khalek also showed discreditable conduct as his actions were not those expected of a police officer and would damage the reputation of the constabulary in the eyes of the public had they known what he had done.

“PC Khalek took unauthorised leave at public expense.

“I consider these breaches are indeed so serious as to amount to gross misconduct.”

Weighing up the evidence, Chief Constable Hall wrote: “No-one in the constabulary encouraged him to do this, indeed no-one on his team other than the officer himself knew his warning for jury service had been cancelled...

“...A significant factor in this case is the dishonesty that has been shown.

“PC Khalek lied to his supervisor for personal gain, that is to avoid police work for a period of two weeks.”

The chief constable said there is “no suggestion direct harm has been caused to any individuals” but explained there are “considerable questions” about the officer’s “ability to carry out professional duties”.

As part of the misconduct hearing, evidence from Mr Khalek was read out, detailing “the many pressures that have been on him outside of work connected with his family and the cultural practices and norms that he is expected to live within”.

                                                                                            

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Chief Constable Hall described the evidence as “moving” and said: “I acknowledge that it is difficult for any of us who do not have such lived experience of these to fully appreciate the impact this must have upon him, and it is clear to me that he has been under significant pressures outside of policing.

“It is regrettable that PC Khalek had felt unable to share or confide in supervisors and managers about this."

He added: “PC Khalek is clearly otherwise a well-respected officer by his colleagues and immediate supervisors...

“...Indeed, PC Khalek has been described as exemplary in his approach to policing."

In his summing up, Chief Constable Hall said: “I am deeply troubled by the dishonesty PC Khalek’s conduct has shown and the fact that he left this uncorrected for personal gain.

“This is serious for policing, the public, and his colleagues.

“The only outcome I can reasonably reach is dismissal without notice."

PC Khalek’s name will also be added to the College of Policing barred list.