A CUMBRIA police officer has lost his job after filing false updates about a case to reduce his workload. 

PC Christopher Maher was dismissed at a misconduct hearing this week. 

The accusations centered around his conduct between January 4, 2023, and March 4, 2023.

The case was described as involving 'operational dishonesty'.

The hearing found PC Mather guilty of multiple breaches.

He was investigated over five allegations which included failing to update a victim of harassment and theft that the case had been finalised for several months, failing to investigate further ongoing harassment and inputting false updates into police intelligence systems.

Despite admitting to the accusations, Mr Maher refuted the categorisation of his actions as gross misconduct, stating he did not act with ill intent and merely ‘got it wrong’ in his quest to handle his workload.

His federation representative Inspector Ed Russell indicated that he was a young officer 'under incredible pressure and he made some frankly stupid decisions'. 

No harm was caused to the victim in this instance, a report of the hearing published by police said.

"I find that PC Mather is entirely responsible for his actions and the misconduct in all five allegations," the report states. 

"Whilst PC Mather went to some length to explain he was not acting dishonestly or maliciously, his actions and inactions were as a result of decisions taken by him.

"I believe that he acted with intent.

"He could have raised the issue of high workload with supervisors or sought assistance from them at the time but I have seen no evidence that he did so.

"Instead, he chose to make entries on Red Sigma which were false, which would on the face of it and without further investigation, deceive supervisors and colleagues that work had been undertaken when it had not been." 

Authorities emphasised that the punishment was entirely necessary to maintain public trust and to assure the victim of justice.

"Anything less than dismissal without notice would seriously undermine public trust and confidence in the police, would cause additional serious harm to the reputation of the police and would not act as a deterrent to others inclined towards similar behaviour," it reads. 

PC Mather has the right to appeal the findings and the decision on the outcome to the Police Appeals Tribunal.