Former Special Constable placed on College of Policing Barred List

A former Greater Manchester Police Special Constable has been placed on the College of Policing Barred List following a misconduct hearing.

Andrew Parkinson, who worked in GMP's Bolton district, was convicted of assault on 15 June 2022 after a trial at Liverpool Magistrates' Court and resigned from the force in September 2022.

The panel, chaired by Chief Constable Stephen Watson on 12 January 2023, decided the incident amounted to gross misconduct and that the former officer would have been dismissed had he not resigned.

Summing up, CC Watson said: "Mr Parkinson’s offending behaviour was clearly unlawful, contrary to the clearest of instructions as to the standards required of our officers, and reckless as to the potential risk of injury to another implied in his actions.

"What is clear to me is that this episode marks a regrettable lapse in judgement. His behaviour is at odds with the fact that as an effective volunteer police officer, Mr Parkinson was held to be an otherwise decent and hard-working officer, who has shown sustained commitment to public service for over three decades.

"It remains clear, however, that all of these positive personal attributes do not outweigh the potential for the loss of confidence that would ensue if Mr Parkinson would have been permitted to continue to perform in the office of constable.

"Had Mr Parkinson not resigned, I would have dismissed him from the service."