A FORMER police officer was found to have committed misconduct.
Ex-PC Ben Preston was alleged to have breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to honesty and integrity, orders and instructions, duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct, following an allegation of misconduct in October 2024.
It was alleged the former officer met a victim of a domestic abuse-related offences at Basildon Police Station who disclosed repeated threats, stalking and harassment behaviour, coercive and controlling behaviour, and claims by her ex partner that he possessed a firearm.
It was alleged that former PC Preston failed to properly record or acknowledge the risks and offences reported and informed the victim he would classify the matter as a ‘non crime domestic’.
He is also alleged to have completed a risk assessment inaccurately by answering questions on the victim’s behalf and grading the case as ‘standard risk’. A subsequent assessment by another officer identified the case as ‘high risk’.
The misconduct hearing was chaired by Assistant Chief Officer Fiona Henderson on 11 May 2026. The allegations were found to be proven in relation to integrity, orders and instructions, duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct. He was not found to have breached standards in honesty.
The panel concluded this was misconduct, and as the officer had already left Essex Police no further action was taken.
ACO Henderson said:
“Listening to victims, and being seen to want to help and support them, is fundamental to every part of policing, and tackling domestic abuse is one of Essex Police’s highest priorities.
“Former PC Preston’s actions fell well below how we expect our officers to treat victims when they come to us for help. His actions are not representative of the hundreds of dedicated domestic abuse investigators, first responders, and specialist officers and staff working to make sure we are bringing the number of these cases down, and bringing offenders to justice.
“We have clear policies and procedures in place to ensure that all investigators act with the professionalism and integrity that our victims deserve. We expect these to be followed without exception by our officers and staff, and for supervisors and managers to oversee this with tenacity and appropriate challenge. We will not accept anything less.”
