By Grâçia Ada Obi
A disgraced former student officer from West Mercia Police has been banned from any police force across the UK after persuading a family member to take the blame after being caught speeding. PC Joseph Mudd was formally dismissed from the force following an accelerated gross misconduct hearing today, Friday November 15.
Joseph Mudd, 21, had already resigned from the role. However he will now be added to the College of Policing Barred List and will not be employable by the UK Police Service.
Mudd had previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, as well as being ordered to pay a £170 surcharge and complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
West Mercia Police said the conviction came after he received a speeding ticket and then falsely claimed a family member was driving in order for them to take the points on their licence.
Following the hearing, West Mercia Police boss Chief Constable Richard Cooper said the ex-copper would have to to “live with the consequences of his foolish actions.” The hearing is subject to the usual appeal process, West Mercia Police said.
Temporary chief constable Richard Cooper said: “Honesty and integrity are non-negotiable in policing and by falsifying claims around a speeding ticket, Joseph Mudd demonstrated early in his policing career that he fell below these standards.
“He will always have to live with the consequences of those foolish actions. We will continue to ensure that the standards of professionalism that the public rightly expect are upheld.”