Dickless Tracy suspended for 'gross misconduct' over claims she told friends of Amber Peat's suicide before her parents knew she had died

A police officer has been suspended over claims she text friends about Amber Peat's suicide before the schoolgirl's parents knew she had died.

The female Nottinghamshire Police officer is accused of sending messages to a friend and family member containing confidential information regarding the missing person's investigation.

Amber Peat, 13, was found hanging in a hedge in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in June this year after being reported missing.

Deputy Chief Constable Sue Fish said: 'I am deeply upset that we are investigating such allegations.

'As soon as they came to light the officer involved was suspended from duty and an internal investigation commenced.

'We are now pursuing fast tracked misconduct proceedings to ensure the officer is dealt with appropriately as soon as possible.

'My colleagues have informed those victims or families who are referred to in the messages sent and apologised to them for the suffering this news will undoubtedly cause them.

'The cases they relate to have been reviewed independently and I am confident that the outcome of those investigations has not been adversely affected by this disclosure and/or the attitudes expressed.

'In addition I give my personal apology to those victims and their families for this disrespectful, shameful behaviour.

'As an organisation we pride ourselves on the high standards of professionalism and integrity we set for our officers and staff.

'We will take swift and robust actions against any person who falls below this standard.

'I hope that the actions of this officer does not detract from the efforts of the hundreds of people who represent Nottinghamshire Police on a daily basis and who work very hard to keep our communities safe and protect vulnerable victims of crime.'

The suspension for  'gross misconduct' relates to a number of 'shameful' incidents involving the same police officer since 2012.

It is alleged that she sent text messages sent which included racist and derogatory language, information disclosed about police officers stopping someone the sender and recipient both knew, identifying the person stopped and describing what happened.

She is further accused of sending texts including derogatory comments about victims of crime with whom the officer had professional contact in their role, sending messages that included an image of an adult vulnerable victim from a police interview with whom the officer had professional dealings and about whom they made derogatory comments.

The final allegation against the policewoman is that she sent text messages to a friend and a family member which contained confidential information relating to Amber Peat's missing person's inquiry the officer was working on and its progress.

Nottinghamshire Police were criticised earlier this year after it emerged officers took two days to investigate what turned out to be the final sighting of tragic Amber.

The schoolgirl went missing from the home she shared with her mum Kelly Peat and stepdad Danny Peat, in May but it was four days before her body was discovered nearby on June 2.

A report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission found that a man called police claiming he saw a young girl matching Amber's description disappearing into bushes close to her house.

But it was 48 hours before police took him to the spot to discover the teenager's dead body.

Social services have also come under fire after we revealed how Amber begged them for help 17 months before her death and asked to live with dad Adrian.

But bosses in Derbyshire failed to tell colleagues in Nottinghamshire about Amber's complaints when the family moved just a few miles over the border weeks later.

Original report here

UPDATE of Oct 8:  Pc Samantha Goodwin has now been fired


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