A police sergeant has been cleared of wrongdoing after being accused of making a false overtime claim.
Sergeant Richard Lewington, of Essex Police, was alleged to have falsely claimed overtime while acting as an on-call Essex Police Federation representative.
The claim related to an incident where the Professional Standards Department (PSD) requested assistance, but Sgt Lewington was not the designated primary on-call representative at the time.
A gross misconduct hearing was held at Colbea Central Colchester Business Centre from October 5 to 8.
The panel heard that Sgt Lewington had agreed with the primary on-call representative that he would attend in their place.
The panel concluded that he was properly on duty and entitled to claim overtime for the hours worked.
The allegations were found not proven.
Assistant chief constable Lucy Morris, who chaired the panel, said: "Where there are allegations of wrong doing or misconduct it is right that the evidence is tested and scrutinised.
"In this instance, the panel found that Sergeant Richard Lewington had not acted dishonestly or with improper intent.
"His attendance to support with the incident in question was found to be proper and he was entitled to be paid for the work he had carried out.
"The force will now work to support him following the conclusion of this hearing."
The panel found that Sgt Lewington had no case to answer.
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