An officer who broke police rules about moonlighting has resigned from the force.

PC Anthony Butlin, an officer at North Wales Police for more than 10 years, quit the force on June 8 after an allegation that he had obtained paid work that breached the rules.

A police misconduct hearing held despite his resignation found that he would have been sacked if still a serving officer.

The hearing, held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, found that PC Butlin had committed "gross misconduct" as a result of his behaviour.

In a statement released following the hearing, the force said: "On Wednesday 24th June 2020 an accelerated misconduct hearing was conducted by Chief Constable Carl Foulkes at Police Headquarters, Colwyn Bay, concerning former Police Constable 1766 Anthony Gareth Butlin who had resigned from North Wales Police on the 8 June, 2020.

"The former officer faced an allegation that he had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Discreditable Conduct (Gross Misconduct) in that he had sought and obtained paid employment contrary to Police Regulations."

They added: "Former Constable Butlin did not appear in person at the hearing and had elected to be represented in his absence by a Police Federation representative.

"Former Constable Butlin had accepted that his conduct amounted to gross misconduct and had tendered his resignation.

Carl Foulkes, Chief Constable of North Wales Police outside Llay Custody Suite near Wrexham. Photo by Ian Cooper
Carl Foulkes, Chief Constable of North Wales Police

"Chief Constable Foulkes confirmed that he had heard and read the facts of the case and that the officer’s conduct did amount to Gross Misconduct. 

"Having given due consideration to the facts in the case and the representations made on behalf of former officer, the Chief Constable determined that had former police constable Butlin continued to be a serving police officer, he would have been dismissed from the organisation forthwith.

"The former officer will now be added to the barred list as maintained by the College of Policing."

Police said PC Butlin had obtained a number of other jobs - including one related to driving.

They were unable to provide further details about the nature of the work.

Police officers must follow strict rules surrounding second jobs.

Regulations state that a superintendent from the Professional Standards Department will decide if the employment "either conflicts with an individual’s ability to discharge their duties impartially or adversely affects the reputation of the individual or the force" before approving the job.