An Essex police officer has been dismissed following a misconduct hearing.

Pc Clive Meakings denied breaching the standards of professional behaviour relating to orders and instructions, duties and responsibilities and confidentiality, but the panel found that a number of the allegations were proven with his actions amounting to gross misconduct.

The panel, led by legally qualified chair John Bassett, ruled that between 2008 and 2015, Pc Meakings viewed confidential information without a lawful policing purpose.

Chief Superintendent Paul Wells, who was sitting on the hearing panel said: “It is imperative that the public have trust in our officers to use police systems containing confidential and sensitive information properly and for legitimate policing purposes.

"Anything other than this will not be tolerated.

“Pc Meakings undermined this confidence and exploited a privileged and trusted position within the force and therefore a decision was made to dismiss the officer for breaching the standards of professional behaviour.

“We would like to assure members of the public that incidents like this are rare and our officers and staff operate with the utmost professionalism, honesty and integrity and take all matters relating to standards of professional behaviour seriously.”