A Hertfordshire police officer has been sacked after pretending to be on jury service to get two weeks off work.

Police constable Musa Khalek had been warned for two weeks' jury service beginning on Monday, August 22 last year, but received notification from the court on August 17 that he was stood down.

However, he failed to attend work on August 22 and, when spoken to by his line manager, lied and text him the court confirmation that he had been warned to attend jury service.

He did not attend work or make contact with his supervisors further for the next two weeks.

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On Friday, September 2, he text messaged his line manager stating it was the last day of his jury service, that it had not been extended, and that he would be back on the following Monday.

An investigation by management uncovered PC Khalek's dishonest act and he has now been sacked. His name will also be added to the College of Policing barred list.

In a report published on Friday, Hertfordshire Constabulary's chief constable, Charlie Hall, said he is "deeply troubled" by the dishonesty PC Khalek's conduct has shown, and that his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

"His conduct has significant potential to undermine public confidence in policing," he said, adding: "I think the public would find it outrageous that a police officer would abuse being warned for jury service in such a way to then secure paid time off public duty."

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Chief Constable Hall said he recognised that PC Khalek has otherwise been "a good, well thought of and respected officer", and that he has shown genuine remorse for what he did.

He also said PC Khalek had "clearly described the many pressures that have been on him outside of work connected with his family and the cultural practices and norms that he is expected to live within".

Chief Constable Hall: "It is regrettable PC Khalek had felt unable to share or confide in supervisors and managers about this, given there is much the constabulary would have been able and willing to do to recognise these and help support him with them.

"The pressures he has been under do not excuse his actions.

"The only outcome I can reasonably reach is dismissal without notice."