A 'highly respected' Plymouth police officer has been dismissed from Devon & Cornwall Police after being found guilty of gross misconduct for providing what a panel described as a misleading account in relation to a speeding ticket.
The decision has triggered a wave of public anger and raised serious questions about how Britain treats its most dedicated emergency service workers.
Sergeant Tim Perrin, a veteran of over 20 years’ service, was dismissed without notice following a two-day misconduct hearing.
On 20 August 2023, Perrin was driving his personal vehicle at 48mph in a 30mph zone while heading into Charles Cross Custody Centre in Plymouth to assist colleagues responding to reports of disorder.
He submitted an exemption request, citing the urgent policing need. The request was later denied. Perrin paid the fine and accepted the penalty without contest, believing the matter to be resolved.
Months later, however, the force launched an internal investigation and brought formal misconduct proceedings against him, alleging that the written explanation he gave in his exemption application had been dishonest or misleading.
Despite legal representation and a strong defence, the panel decided that his wording lacked integrity and dismissed him for gross misconduct.
Sergeant Perrin took to social media to share what had happened. In a post that has since gone viral, reaching over 150,000 people, he wrote:
“Today, after over 20 years as a dedicated, decorated and highly skilled officer, I was dismissed for providing a ‘misleading account’ in relation to a speed camera activation application for exemption when rushing to help colleagues whilst on duty. I left with my head held high.”
There is no suggestion that Perrin lied about his actions. No one disputes that he was responding to an active situation. The issue, according to the panel, was whether the wording he used in the exemption application was accurate enough. Critics say this focus on language over intention is setting a dangerous precedent.
UK law permits private vehicles to be used by police officers responding to emergencies when necessary. Although Perrin was off duty, he held advanced blue light training and believed his actions were justified. His supporters argue that his experience and intent were clear, and that he acted in the public interest.
The reaction from policing professionals has been swift and emotional. Officers past and present have expressed dismay at the decision. One wrote that it is no longer safe to rely on internal support when trying to do the right thing. Others say the force is being driven by fear of criticism rather than common sense.
This incident is fuelling wider concern about how misconduct cases are being handled across the UK. Many believe the process has become more focused on language and perception than on actual misconduct. There is growing frustration that senior leadership teams are failing to protect officers who put themselves at risk to support others.
Perrin’s case is now being widely shared across social media and law enforcement forums. It has become a rallying point for those who feel the system is punishing loyalty and professionalism instead of encouraging it.
At a time when violent crime is rising and public services are under strain, the loss of experienced officers like Sergeant Perrin is being seen by many as a self-inflicted wound on the part of policing institutions. His dismissal raises serious concerns about the future of morale, trust, and leadership within the force.
The public is asking whether an officer with an unblemished 20-year record should really be dismissed for how he worded a form while rushing in to help his team. That question is not going away any time soon.
In a statement today Devon and Cornwall Police said:
"We are aware of a number of news media stories and social media speculation regarding the recent gross misconduct hearing of former police sergeant Tim Perrin.
"Following a two-day gross misconduct panel hearing this week, Mr Perrin was found to have been culpable for gross misconduct and dismissed with immediate effect.
"Mr Perrin was found to have breached standards of professional behaviour in terms of honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct.
"This related to his reply to a notice of intended prosecution following a speeding offence in his private vehicle.
"The panel did not accept the account provided by the officer to be true and found the actions of this officer were deliberately misleading for personal gain representing a lack of integrity and undermining public confidence in the police service.
"As with all cases of this nature, a full report from the gross misconduct panel chair will be submitted to the force in due course, provided to Mr Perrin and published on our website."
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