Serving officer dismissed – London

A serving British Transport Police (BTP) officer has been dismissed without notice, following an accelerated misconduct hearing.

PC Amy Byrne, based in London, answered allegations that she breached the standards of professional behaviour at a hearing held at Force Headquarters on 10 January.

On 7 June 2021 police officers responded to an incident involving a person who resided at a nearby address. The officers then attended the address and encountered PC Byrne who lived there. She identified herself as a BTP officer.

The attending officers subsequently had cause to search PC Byrne’s address and found:

• A hydroponics tent and two cannabis plants
• Numerous deal bags, including some with cannabis inside
• A half-smoked cannabis joint
• A pack of cannabis seeds
• Correspondence sent to PC Byrne at the address

PC Byrne dishonestly told the attending officers that she did not live at the address, stating she lived with her mother.

The Chief Constable found that PC Byrne’s actions amounted to gross misconduct, and she has been dismissed from the force with immediate effect. 

Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “As police officers we take an oath to serve with fairness, integrity and impartiality. There is no place in BTP for officers who are involved in criminality, or who turn a blind-eye to the actions of those closest to them. 

“My decision to dismiss Amy Byrne with immediate effect demonstrates the commitment I have to upholding the values and standards of BTP. Nobody wants people who behave like this in BTP.

“I would encourage anyone who finds themselves in circumstances where criminality is taking place, or you are concerned about being in breach of the values or standards, to reach out to us. You can talk to your line manager, PSD, or Wellbeing. We do care, and we can help.”