News
Police officer hit with disciplinary action after pulling a sickie to go and watch the races
Local authorities said they 'will not tolerate behaviour that undermines the integrity of the force and brings the hard work of the many into disrepute.'
A British police officer has been charged with gross misconduct after pulling a sickie in order to go and watch the horse racing.
Former PC Kiara Wealls called in sick when she was due to work a late shift on 24 June this year, only to have been found at the races and embroiled in an “altercation” with other members of the public.
Wealls, who resigned a month later, attended the event at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk with a group of friends and was ultimately reported back to the Essex Police force following her behaviour.
Following a hearing, she was found to have breached standards of discreditable conduct and would have been dismissed following the disciplinary action had she not already resigned.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, who oversaw the hearing, said in a statement: “When a member of Essex Police needs to report sick because they are unwell there is rightly trust and understanding that they will use this period to get well to return to duty.
“Ms Wealls abused this trust and attended a social event with friends.
“Essex Police will support staff who are ill, but we will not tolerate behaviour that undermines the integrity of the force and brings the hard work of the many into disrepute.”
Read more:
Moreover, it would seem that beyond racehorses passing the finishing posts, there have been other law enforcement crossing the thin blue line as similar controversy was sparked at Newmarket back in 2016.
34-year-old PC David Parker, based out of Bow, east London, was caught being abusive to staff and colleagues at a stag do, before resisting arrest and finally being sacked.
We know everyone’s pulled a sickie in their time but it’s not exactly the best advert for UK police, is it?
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Image — Wikimedia Commons
News
Everyone in England can now get FREE careers advice as part of a new Government scheme
Emily Sergeant
People all across the country now have the ability to access support from dedicated career advisers completely free of charge.
That’s because, for the first time ever, the full range of support previously offered by the National Careers Service will be available through Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under the Government, creating a more joined-up service for people at every stage of their career.
Around 500 qualified careers advisers have joined the DWP, it has been confirmed, and they will provide expert careers information, advice, and guidance alongside the existing employment and skills support that are already available through Jobcentres.
But the key is here, the free careers support will be available to everyone – regardless of whether they claim benefits.
The services are set to be accessed either online, over the phone, or through face-to-face appointments at Jobcentres, giving people a single place to access the advice they need to take their next step.
As mentioned, these new services are part of the wider reforms the Government says it is taking to ‘give everyone the opportunity to succeed’.
These reforms include £2.5 billion of youth employment support, and £3.5 billion investment in employment support for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
Read more:
Support can be accessed online via the Get Careers Information and Advice page HERE, as well as through the freephone service on 0800 072 0288.
Face-to-face appointments will then be available in Jobcentres later this month.
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
News
Beloved Manchester artist Stanley Chow slams Conservative Party for using his artwork
Daisy Jackson
Celebrated local artist Stanley Chow has lashed out at the Conservative Party.
The illustrator, who is famed for his cartoon portraits of famous faces, has discovered that the political party have been using his Andy Burnham illustration at their party conference.
Publicly addressing the usage, Stanley said he would be ‘seeking legal advice’.
He shared a photo of his Andy Burnham portrait that has been placed onto a water bottle with the slogan ‘Bottler Burnham’.
The label also says: “0% strength. Bottled under pressure from Badenoch.”
In another photo, Stanley Chow revealed that the Tory party conference has used his Andy Burnham portrait on pots of sweets, too.
This time, they say: “Andy Panders’ people pleaser pick n mix. Free sweets for everyone, it will only cost you higher taxes.”
Stanley wrote: “It seems like @conservatives have been using my artwork without my permission at their conference party…
“Regardless of whatever your political allegiances are, it’s still copyright infringement… I’ll be seeking legal advice.”
Backing him up in the comments are a number of other local artists, including Mancsy, who said: “As well as the copyright infringement, I expect more of political parties than making gags at the expense of the opposition. It’s alarming on multiple levels.”
Someone else wrote: “Imagine calling a prime minister a people pleaser like it’s an insult… when it’s their job.”
Another person said: “How does that even happen?! Layers of people signing off who go, ‘Sure, let’s not worry about copyright’ (people who’ve presumably never step foot in MCR and seen your artwork, like EVERYWHERE). Drag em, babe. Copyright and reputation, surely.”
Read more
Featured image: The Manc Group
Danny Jones -
25th October 2022 
