Police officer dismissed after giving misleading reference for former officer

A British Transport Police (BTP) Detective Inspector has been dismissed following a Misconduct Hearing for gross misconduct, after being found to have intentionally misled a public authority when providing a character reference for a previously dismissed officer.

DI Dean Percival was present at the hearing, chaired by Gerald Sydenham LQC, between Monday 15 and Wednesday 17 April at the force's Headquarters in Camden.

In April 2023, DI Percival was approached by the London Borough of Merton for a character reference for a former officer who has been dismissed from the force for gross misconduct in May 2022.

DI Percival denied intentionally misleading the London Borough of Merton at the hearing and that his actions did not amount to misconduct. He had been a serving police officer with BTP since 2004 and was based in London.  

ACC Charlie Doyle: “It was shown that Detective Inspector Percival knew in great detail the very serious and significant findings of the Misconduct Panel in proceedings against the former officer. He had assisted him as a Police Federation Friend and acted as his representative at the misconduct hearing and made representations upon outcome at that hearing”.

“DI Percival was a very capable officer of senior rank, with vast experience. He was also a trained Police Federation representative. However, his conduct in this matter was far below the professional standards expected by BTP and the public we serve. His decision to omit relevant information regarding the former officers dismissal from the reference was dishonest, no doubt knowing that it would have adversely affected their chances of successfully securing employment with the London Borough of Merton."

The panel decided that dismissal without notice was the only appropriate sanction in respect of the breaches of the Professional Standards: Honesty & Integrity and Discreditable Conduct.