Devon and Cornwall Police officers dismissed after being found guilty of gross misconduct

Two Devon and Cornwall Police officers have been dismissed without notice by the force, and barred from working as police officers again, after the death of Stephen Reardon on 13 July 2023.

At a hearing today, PC Grant Makenzie and PC Dean Hunkin were found to have committed gross misconduct.

A Panel, chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Ian Saunders of Wiltshire Police, found that the pair failed to respond when Mr Reardon suddenly collapsed in the back of their police van.

The Panel found the officers failed to undertake an urgent or detailed assessment of Mr Reardon’s medical condition. They found that the officers failed to take vital, life saving action, such as by calling an ambulance, or starting CPR, when they ought to have done.

The Panel found that the officers’ actions would undermine public confidence and trust in the police. The pair will now no longer be able to work as police officers.

Imran Khan and Partners act for Mr Reardon’s bereaved partner, Ms Becky Gale.

Ms Gale said the following:

"The Panel’s findings confirm our family’s fears. The behaviour of PC Makenzie and PC Hunkin, who transported Stephen on the day he died, fell shockingly below the standards we expect of officers.

Stephen and I were due to get married just a few weeks after he died. No family should have to go through what we went through. We are therefore pleased that the officers have been dismissed from their roles and will be barred from policing again.”

Inquest proceedings into Mr Reardon’s death will be held before Cornwall Coroner’s Court.