Former police officer barred after lying about mother’s death

A former police officer has been banned from ever working the service again after a misconduct hearing heard she lied about her mother’s death. 

The hearing at Greater Manchester Police HQ was told that former Bury PC Melissa Hodson informed her supervisors that her mother had been taken ill in May 2021 and she needed time off for hospital visits. 

She then told colleagues that her mother had died and, in September 2021, that her mother’s house had been burgled. 

All of her statements were later proved to be false following an investigation by GMP’s Professional Standards Branch.

Hodson admitted her actions amounted to gross misconduct in a letter submitted prior to the accelerated misconduct hearing held on 7 September 2023.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson ruled she would have been dismissed had she not resigned, saying her 'conduct was morally reprehensible'. 

CC Watson added: “She made a series of untrue statements to her supervision - culpability in this case is high, her actions were deliberate and persistent.

“Her actions bring the profession into disrepute and inevitably damage public confidence in policing. 

“It also damages the trust colleagues have in each other – that trust has been irretrievably shattered.” 

Hodson, who had been on restricted duties from February 2022 until her resignation in July that year, was also added to the College of Policing Barred List.