Paul Kirtley acts for officer who keeps job after Poppi Worthington performance proceedings

October 26, 2016

Paul Kirtley from Exchange Chambers, instructed by the Police Federation, has acted for an officer whose performance was under investigation.

Cumbria Constabulary can confirm that performance proceedings have been concluded into the competence of an officer’s performance in the initial investigation into the circumstances around the death of Poppi Worthington in December 2012.

The Constabulary made a self-referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in June 2014 following concerns about the initial investigation into the death of Poppi Worthington.

Performance proceedings were held in front of a panel, which was chaired by an independent senior officer from outside the Constabulary.

The officer admitted that their actions, in relation to the initial investigation into the death of Poppi Worthington, amounted to Gross Incompetence.

The panel had available a broad range of sanctions including dismissal.  Following the hearing and representations on the officer’s behalf, dismissal was rejected and the officer was subjected to a reduction in rank from Inspector to Sergeant, while remaining a serving police officer with the Cumbria Constabulary.

Paul is one of a select group of barristers who is instructed on behalf of the Police Federation to represent its members. He has considerable experience in advising and representing officers at Performance Panels and at all stages of the Appeal process including the Police Appeals Tribunal. He also has extensive experience of Misconduct Hearings.

Paul Kirtley is part of the Police Law team at Exchange Chambers.