Accelerated misconduct hearing outcome for former officer

An accelerated misconduct hearing has found a former West Mercia Police officer would have been sacked from the force had he not already retired.

Richard Cundy, 54, who was a firearms trainer based at the force’s headquarters in Hindlip, was found to have seriously breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity and duties and responsibility. 

An accelerated misconduct hearing which took place today (Tuesday 5 March 2024), chaired by Temporary Chief Constable Alex Murray, heard how on 5 December 2022 Richard Cundy falsified his training record to show that he had completed training when he had not. 

The discrepancy came to light on 14 December 2022 following a dip sample of lesson plans and records and an investigation was launched by West Mercia Police’s professional standards department. 

Richard Cundy, who was a sergeant, retired from the force on 15 December 2023. 

Temporary Chief Constable Alex Murray, said: “You will have seen I have chaired a number of accelerated misconduct hearings in recent weeks. We continue to identify and take action against officer who have seriously breached the standards of professional behaviour.

“Richard Cundy will now be added to the College of Policing’s Barred List, barring him from working for a UK police service in the future.

“In this instance the officer had served well throughout his career, however, falsifying a training record is very serious and required the necessary sanction.”