Police officer faces misconduct probe over club link

A Nottinghamshire Police officer has been served a gross misconduct notice over links to a sports club.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the investigation follows a mandatory referral from the force and remains at a "relatively early stage".

A spokesperson for the IOPC said there was an "indication" that the links had no policing purpose and could involve the force's seizure of a vehicle belonging to someone working at the club, understood to be Nottingham Forest.

Nottinghamshire Police said that as an investigation was under way, they could not comment further.

A spokesperson for the IOPC confirmed a notice was served as part of an ongoing independent investigation into the extent of their involvement with a sports club.

"This follows a mandatory conduct referral to us from Nottinghamshire Police," they added.

"The notice has informed the officer that they are under investigation, at the level of gross misconduct, because there is an indication they may have been involved in matters linked to the club without a policing purpose, including the force's seizure of a vehicle belonging to someone working at the club.

"The investigation is still at a relatively early stage and the serving of misconduct notices does not mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow.

"At the end of our investigation, we will decide if any individual should face proceedings based on whether we find a case to answer."

Nottinghamshire Police said: "As this investigation is being led by the IOPC, it would be inappropriate for us to comment."

A Nottingham Forest spokesperson said: "Nottingham Forest have not been informed of any investigation by the IOPC.

"The club also notes that there has been no allegation of wrongdoing made against the club or any of its employees.

"If the club is asked for any information by the IOPC it will, of course, cooperate in full."

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