A Bedfordshire Police officer has been dismissed after he admitted breaching policy by failing to notify the force of a business venture.

PC Paul Wilson pleaded guilty to gross misconduct relating to honesty, integrity, orders and instructions at a public misconduct hearing on Tuesday of last week, although he did not attend the hearing in person.

The business in question aimed to stop ‘crash for cash’ schemes.

PC Wilson was asked by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Professional Standards Unit in November 2014 whether he had any business interests, however he failed to declare any. He continued to deny his business interests until he changed his plea the day before the public hearing.

PC Wilson – an officer since 1999 – admitted failing to seek approval and failing to apply for permission to pursue his business interest.

He was dismissed without notice by the Legally Qualified Chair Alexandra Ward.

Assistant Chf Con Mike Colbourne said: “We expect our officers to act with the utmost honesty and integrity in everything they do, so it is always disappointing when the actions of officers fall below these standards.

“The protocols that we have around declaring business interests are there for important reasons and anyone found to be in breach of these rules and regulations will be held to account.”