The discreditable conduct of Isle of Wight police officer PC Ben Magee, which led to the arrest of an innocent man, has ‘damaged public trust’, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has said.
Despite being blasted by the force, PC Magee has kept his job after being handed a final written warning, rather than dismissal.
It was on New Year’s Eve in 2022 that, whilst on duty, PC Magee made a phone call to another officer in which he pretended to be a member of the public as a practical joke.
The officer at the receiving end of the prank call raised the red flag, resulting in colleagues being deployed to locate who was thought to have made the phone call – Benji Churchill. Mr Churchill was subsequently arrested later in the day on suspicion of sending a malicious communication and taken into custody for questioning. His mobile phone was seized.
But it soon became clear that Mr Churchill was, in fact, innocent. PC Magee admitted making the hoax call to his bosses. Mr Churchill was duly released without charge after more than 2-and-a-hour behind bars.
The call was made from Newport Police Station in front of 3 other officers, who have all now received low-level disciplinary action.
In bringing about a misconduct hearing, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said that PC Magee’s actions fell below the standards required of police officers and that his conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour and therefore met the threshold of gross misconduct.
Gross misconduct was proven for a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of Discreditable Conduct and Duties and Responsibilities.
However, following a recent misconduct hearing in Eastleigh, the deciding panel handed PC Magee a final written warning instead of an instant dismissal.
Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya has this week said:
“It is inexcusable that an innocent member of the public was detained in police custody because of the recklessness of a police officer.
“A person’s right to liberty is an absolute requirement, which should never have been threatened because of a so-called practical joke.
“As police officers, we have significant powers and responsibilities bestowed upon us to protect and serve our communities. The public should have absolute confidence in our ability to use those powers appropriately and only when absolutely necessary.
DCC de Reya has added:
“I apologise for the impact this has had on the person detained.
“This officer has damaged public trust with his irresponsible actions.
“This behaviour is not what we see across Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, where officers, staff and volunteers are proactively out in communities keeping people safe from harm.”
The victim of PC Magee’s prank call, unidentified in the misconduct hearing but known to Island Echo, is thought to now be suspended from duty himself.
our island police are so wonderful..not
Sorry, but JUST WHAT do you have to do to be dismissed (sacked) from a position of respect and responsibility in this day and age?
This person was supposed to be an upholder and enforcer of the Law, yet made a ‘crank’ call which was a complete waste of other people’s time, but gets away with a ‘Final’ written warning!!!