The appellant police officer appealed the penalty of dismissal imposed by a Hearing Officer after pleading guilty to deceit and insubordination.
The misconduct involved making a false statement to investigators regarding his brother's whereabouts and conducting unauthorized database searches.
The Commission found the penalty of dismissal unreasonable, noting the Hearing Officer erred in principle by relying on speculative findings and the fact of the officer's suspension.
The Commission varied the penalty to a forfeiture of nine days' pay for insubordination, and a 30-day suspension without pay followed by a two-year demotion to fourth-class constable for deceit.
