Former sergeant found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct

A former police sergeant has been found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct.

Ms Jennifer Kent, a former police sergeant based in Chester, was due to have an accelerated misconduct hearing on Friday 3 February.

However, the 38 year-old resigned from the force on Wednesday 18 January 2023.

Despite her resignation, the hearing went ahead, and the panel found Ms Kent had a case to answer for breaching the standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

The outcome means Ms Kent has now been added to the College of Policing Barred List, meaning she is prevented from working in law enforcement in the future.

The misconduct panel stated had she still been a serving police officer she would have been dismissed without notice.

The accusations against Ms Kent, who became an officer in 2006 and joined Cheshire Constabulary in January 2016, came to light in 2021, when it was found Ms Kent had activated a social networking account and pursued a course of conduct for which she received a monetary reimbursement.

Following the hearing, Deputy Chief Constable Chris Armitt said:

“Ms Kent was in a position of trust, she swore an oath in which she promised to abide by the clear guidelines about the standards expected from her.

“However the way in which she had behaved off-duty was unacceptable and has clearly brought discredit on the police service.

“While she resigned before the misconduct hearing and was experiencing personal difficulties at the time, this does not excuse her behaviour.

“I hope the outcome of this hearing provides reassurance that when we receive a report of any ill-behaviour on or off-duty, a thorough investigation will be undertaken and we will do everything in our power to get resolution for this.”

Anyone who wishes to make a complaint, or a compliment, about the service they have received from Cheshire Constabulary can contact the Professional Standards Department by calling 101 or emailing [email protected] .