A FORMER Cheshire Police officer, who was based at Crewe, has been banned from law enforcement after tracking his partner using police systems.

Andrew Birkett was found to have a case to answer for gross misconduct after using the force's systems to monitor his former partner, who was also a serving Cheshire officer.

The former police constable, was due to attend an accelerated misconduct hearing today (Thursday) in relation to a number of allegations against him.

However, the 32-year-old, who originally joined the force in April 2016, resigned on August 19 and chose not to participate in the hearing.

Despite his resignation, the hearing went ahead and Mr Birkett was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour regarding authority, respect and courtesy.

The outcome means that he has now been added to the College of Policing Barred List, which prevents him from working in law enforcement in the future.

The misconduct panel stated that had Mr Birkett still been a serving police officer he would have been dismissed without notice.

The allegations against him came to light in February this year after officers working with his former partner raised concerns about his behaviour towards her.

An investigation was launched by the force's Professional Standards Department which established he had abused his position by misusing police systems in order to monitor the activity and movements of his partner.

On many occasions he would log on to the systems while off duty in order to keep track of what she was doing.

Following the hearing, Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: "I want to send out a clear message that I expect the absolute highest standards of personal and professional behaviour and integrity from all my officers and staff.

"Unfortunately, in this case Mr Birkett's behaviour fell well below the level expected of a serving officer and he grossly undermined the privileged position that his role as a member of Cheshire Constabulary demands and expects."

Chief Superintendent Chris Warren, Head of the Professional Standards Department, said: "As a serving officer Mr Birkett held a position of trust and he swore an oath in which he promised to abide by the law and the clear guidelines about the standards expected from him, including his responsibilities in relation to accessing and using force systems.

"Birkett was well aware of these standards. Sadly, he chose to ignore them and blatantly misused police systems in order to monitor the whereabouts of his partner. His personal behaviour was totally inappropriate for that of a serving police officer.

"While he resigned before the misconduct hearing took place that does not in any way excuse his behaviour. Nor does it reduce the impact that his behaviour has had on his former partner and her colleagues.

"I hope that the outcome of the hearing reassures the public that we take any concerns regarding the behaviour of officers extremely seriously and demonstrates that police officers are not above the law."

Anyone who wishes to make a complaint, or compliment, about the service that they have received from Cheshire Constabulary can contact the Professional Standards Department on 101, or by visiting www.cheshire.police.uk/fo/feedback/tc/thanks-and-complaints/ .