Norfolk Police Federation statement after PC Karl Warren hearing

27 February 2024

Norfolk Police Federation has given its reaction after colleague PC Karl Warren had a misconduct case against him dismissed.

The officer suffered memory loss during an incident in March 2022 due to epilepsy, the conduct hearing this week heard.

On Tuesday (27 February), PC Warren was found to have an allegation of misconduct against him not proven.

Norfolk Police Federation Chair Andy Symonds said: "This is the right and just result. As we heard during the hearing, this officer has gone through hell. Much of it in public and for a number of months.

“Police Officers are accountable for their actions - and we accept what we do comes under intense scrutiny - but there comes a point when scrutiny can frankly start to feel like an anti-police vendetta.

"Certain sections of the media with the assistance it must be said of the Independent Office for Police Conduct - took it upon themselves to put his actions on trial. 

"There has been no scandal. There was no hiding anything. He has faced up to it all. Karl sadly has a worrying medical condition. And is paying a heavy price for it.

"We have sadly seen an increase in the frequency of PC Warren’s epileptic episodes and this is in the main down to the last two years of intense scrutiny. And today PC Warren can hold his head up high as he has done nothing wrong and the panel found no case to answer. 

"Karl has been dignified throughout and we as a Federation have been fully supporting him. He has a medical condition which three separate doctors have diagnosed and has been thankfully understood and appreciated by a legally qualified chair and the other independent panel members during the hearing.

"As this week’s hearing heard, Karl faces an uncertain future - and we wish both he and his family well at this time.

“We ask that the media now respect their privacy and leaves them alone to get on with their lives."