Federation and Group Insurance Scheme provides priceless support to member facing misconduct

27 February 2026

"It would have been a very lonely place without the Federation and support provided by the Group Insurance Scheme. Now more than ever, it’s so important for police officers to be members of both.”

That’s the words of former Northamptonshire Police Officer Steve Scott (pictured), who has faced more than six months of uncertainty, legal argument and the very real prospect of being dismissed for gross misconduct - all stemming from an off-duty decision to locate a stolen car in his local community.

Now, following an accelerated gross misconduct hearing chaired by the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police, Steve says one thing is clearer to him than ever.

“Without the Federation and the Group Insurance Scheme, things could have ended very differently,” said the 42-year-old who had been a serving police officer for more than 20 years.

 

Former Northamptonshire Police Officer Steve Scott

 

In July 2025, while off duty, signed off sick and having already resigned from the Force, Steve became aware that his ex-partner’s grandfather had been the victim of a car theft in a local area known to him.

Driven by his desire to ‘protect the public’ and ‘to stop criminality’, Steve accessed the incident log from home and identified information suggesting the stolen vehicle remained nearby. He then located the vehicle and immediately reported it through official channels, calling 101 and later 999 when two suspects returned to the car.

Police units were deployed and the vehicle was recovered, before Steve later provided a witness statement and, on the advice of the Police Federation, voluntarily referred himself to the Professional Standards Department (PSD) to ensure full transparency regarding his actions.

He was subsequently investigated for gross misconduct for his involvement in the incident, under the professional standards policy, connected to someone known to him.

Accelerated misconduct hearing

At the accelerated misconduct hearing, the Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet found that Steve’s actions amounted to gross misconduct on two of the three allegations considered.

The breaches centred on accessing police systems without supervisory authority and on becoming involved in a matter, as defined by policy, connected to a personal relationship.

While the Chief Constable acknowledged that Steve should have sought authority from a supervisor before acting, he acknowledged the former officer’s self-referral to Professional Standards.

Mr Balhatchet concluded that, although the matter reached the threshold of gross misconduct, dismissal would not have been justified - particularly as Steve had already left the service.

The Chief Constable accepted that there was no personal gain, advantage, or improper motive for Steve.

Steve has never denied breaching policy: “I didn’t gain from this. Not financially, not personally. If a neighbour had called me, I’d have done the same thing.”

Anxiety

During the process, Steve says, is where Federation support becomes critical.

He describes months of anxiety, stress on his family, and the fear of losing his new job outside policing.

“My biggest concern was always how this would impact my life - my job, my home, my income,” said Steve, adding: “It’s been hanging over my head. People hear ‘gross misconduct’ and they don’t know the circumstances. Your name feels tarnished.

“You feel like a criminal. This clears my name.”

Steve has been a member of both from the first day of his service, describing that decision as one of the most important of his career.

“It would have been a very lonely place to sit in that hearing without legal support,” he said. “I would have had to represent myself. I couldn’t have afforded to fund that privately.

“I’ve been to court many times as an officer, but I would never want to represent myself.”

Emotional support

Through the Federation, Steve had access to expert legal representation and advice at every stage. He credits his Federation representative, Sam, with providing both practical and emotional support.

“I didn’t always agree with his guidance,” Steve said. “But I trust him. He gives another perspective. These guys know the process.”

He also emphasised the value of the Group Insurance Scheme, which can fund legal assistance in cases like his.

Steve added: “Now more than ever, being part of the Group Insurance Scheme is more important than it’s ever been. It’s got to be a must.”

Without it, he says, the financial burden alone would have impacted everything - including his home and family.

Now in a new job and in a position to leave the Force and the hearing behind him, Steve has one last piece of advice for fellow officers:  “Join the Federation. Stay in the Group Insurance Scheme. Even if you never think you’ll need them, you need someone in your corner, and that’s them.

“Policing can be isolating, particularly during misconduct investigations. In that environment, he says, Federation support is not a luxury - it is a necessity.”

Find out more about the Group Insurance Scheme and how to join.