Sussex Police Officers Cleared Of Most Allegations After Misconduct Hearing

Two Sussex Police officers have been cleared of all but one allegation following a gross misconduct hearing that concluded on Thursday, 23 October.

Police Constables Jeffrey Bassett and Clive Mitchell-Harris faced the hearing over their handling of an attempted arrest involving a 17-year-old boy in April 2023.

The officers attended a property on 15 April 2023 to arrest the teenager, who was wanted for breaching court bail.

After speaking with him, they agreed he would hand himself in at Worthing custody two days later.

The visit was recorded as a negative arrest, but the boy did not later surrender himself to police, and a follow-up arrest attempt was not made.

Following a referral from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Sussex Police held the hearing to consider possible breaches of professional standards relating to duties, responsibilities, honesty, and integrity.

After four days of evidence, PC Bassett was cleared of all allegations, while PC Mitchell-Harris was cleared of two gross misconduct charges.

One lesser allegation of misconduct was upheld against PC Mitchell-Harris, who received an 18-month written warning.

Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme said:

“In circumstances such as these, it is right that the actions of all involved are scrutinised robustly to identify any potential failings or learning to be taken forward.

"The actions of both of these officers have now been the subject of two separate professional standards processes, including consultation with the IOPC.”