Former police officer sentenced for misconduct in public office
A former Humberside Police Officer has been sentenced for misconduct charges.
An investigation was launched by the Humberside Anti-Corruption Unit in July 2025 after a witness was contacted by the force ahead of an upcoming court case to discuss the statement they had provided to former PC Bethany Hemstock, 30.
However the witness denied ever having given a signed statement to Hemstock.
Following the initial allegation Hemstock was suspended and then subsequently placed on restricted duties whilst additional enquiries were conducted.
Detectives spoke with the witness, as well carrying out lines of enquiry into the recording of statements collected by former PC Hemstock.
It was identified between October 31 2024 and December 12 2024 the former PC had falsified three witness statement and electronic/signatures in connection with three separate thefts from retail shops in the Hull area.
Hemstock was voluntary interviewed under caution in connection with the investigation by detectives on two occasions.
In her initial interview, the former PC denied wrongly falsifying witness statements and stated the volume of cases she was working on were manageable and in line with what her colleagues had also been assigned.
In her second interview, after listening to the evidence presented, she then admitted to falsely signing statements on behalf of witnesses and suggested her actions were caused by the volume of investigations she was responsible for and denied any dishonest intent.
However, a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) review found her actions to be dishonest and constituted criminal offences.
Hemstock, of Bounty Drive, Hull appeared at Hull Crown Court on Friday, August 7 where she pleaded guilty to Misconduct in Public Office.
On Monday November 2 she was sentenced to eight months, suspended for 12 months following her appearance at Grimsby Crown Court.
An accelerated Misconduct Hearing was held in Hemstock’s absence in October this year.
The panel found the allegations amounted to Gross Misconduct, had she not resigned, she would have been dismissed with immediate effect. She has also been placed on the College of Policing Barred list.
Hemstock was also charged with committing an act / series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice, make a false instrument with intent it be accepted as genuine, however following the guilty plea at court, it was agreed that the additional charges would lay on file.
Head of Professional Standards, Detective Superintendent Rebecca Dickinson said: “I would like to offer some reassurance to members of the public that as a part of our investigation, my team worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure any conviction secured, which contained falsified statements as a part of each evidential bundle were reviewed.
“From those reviews it was established further evidence submitted for the three cases included CCTV footage and admissions of guilt from the suspect, therefore meant no retrials were required as each suspects conviction would have still been upheld without a witness statement.
“As police officers, we are put in a position of trust, and a part of that position, it is to ensure each investigation is conducted with diligence and integrity.
“Former PC Hemstock acted against established training and guidance, and as a result neglected her duties as an officer and mislead the judicial process by submitting falsified signed statements into evidence.
“Our officers are expected to always conduct themselves in a manner that not only meets, but exceeds, the standards of professional behaviour, and it is of vital importance we maintain the public’s trust and confidence in us and remove those from the force those that bring policing into disrepute".