BTP Officer Sacked After Gross Misconduct Findings at Widnes Pub

A British Transport Police officer has been dismissed with immediate effect after a misconduct panel found she committed gross misconduct during an off-duty incident in Cheshire.

PC Jessica Derbyshire-Smyth was removed from the force following a public misconduct hearing held in Sutton between 1 and 4 December. The hearing examined allegations that she breached professional standards, with an Independent Panel ultimately upholding a series of complaints linked to an incident at a pub in Widnes earlier this year.

The panel heard that on 21 June 2024, PC Derbyshire-Smyth attended the Ring O’Bells public house while intoxicated. During the incident, she was found to have directed abusive language at a member of the public, including calling them “a k******” and telling them to “f*** off”. She also refused to leave the premises when requested by staff and had to be escorted outside.

Further allegations related to her conduct after leaving the pub. The panel found she contacted 999 and falsely reported that she had been assaulted and strangled. She was also found to have made derogatory remarks about the local police force, including comments such as “He is not a copper”, “F****** Cheshire police” and “S*** Cheshire”.

The Independent Panel concluded that the proven allegations collectively amounted to gross misconduct. As a result, PC Derbyshire-Smyth was dismissed from British Transport Police without notice.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Turner said:

"Police officers are rightly expected to conduct themselves to a high standard whether they are on or off duty, and PC Derbyshire-Smyth did the very opposite of that the during this incident, bringing discredit upon herself and the force. The Independent Panel found a number of allegations were proven – which were serious and varied in nature – and would no doubt have a detrimental impact on public confidence in policing. I support the decision of the Independent Panel to dismiss her with immediate effect.”

Image: British Transport Police