A highly respected police sergeant with more than 20 years of service has been dismissed from Devon & Cornwall Police after a disciplinary panel found he had provided a “misleading account” when seeking an exemption from a speeding ticket — a decision that has sparked widespread debate over fairness and accountability within policing.
Sergeant Tim Perrin was dismissed without notice following a misconduct hearing, despite claiming he was responding to disorder and heading to assist colleagues at Charles Cross Custody Centre in Plymouth when he was caught driving at 48mph in a 30mph zone in his personal vehicle on 20 August 2023.
The Background
Perrin received a Notice of Intended Prosecution shortly after the incident and submitted a request for exemption, citing the urgency of assisting on-duty officers during what he described as a volatile and developing situation.
Although his exemption request was denied, Perrin accepted the penalty, paid the fine, and believed the matter was resolved. However, the force launched misconduct proceedings, alleging the written explanation provided in his exemption request had been misleading.
Dismissed Over Language, Not Speed
There is no dispute that Perrin was speeding. Nor has there been any public suggestion that he lied about his intent. The disciplinary panel’s decision centred on whether Perrin’s wording in the exemption form misrepresented the circumstances. The panel ultimately ruled that it did — a decision that led to summary dismissal.
Perrin took to social media to share his experience, stating:
“Today, after over 20 years as a dedicated, decorated and highly skilled officer, I was dismissed… I left with my head held high.”
His post has since gone viral, reaching over 150,000 users on X (formerly Twitter), triggering a wave of support and outcry from fellow officers, legal experts, and members of the public.
A Wider Debate in UK Policing
Under UK law, private vehicles can be lawfully used for police purposes in certain emergencies — provided the officer has reasonable grounds. Though Perrin was off-duty and not in a marked vehicle, legal guidance acknowledges such exceptions when necessity demands urgent response.
Critics of the decision argue that the force failed to account for context and good faith. One serving officer, speaking anonymously, said:
“If this is the bar for dismissal, no one is safe. We’re being judged on semantics rather than service.”
Devon & Cornwall Police has not commented publicly beyond confirming the outcome of the hearing.
No Appeal Route Confirmed
At the time of publication, no appeal process has been made available to Perrin. Under current misconduct procedures, dismissal without notice can only be overturned under limited circumstances, such as procedural errors or judicial review.
The Police Federation has yet to release a formal statement on the case but is reportedly reviewing the matter internally.
Public Reaction and Policing Morale
The case has fuelled a broader conversation about how officers are supported — or scrutinised — by the very systems designed to uphold professional standards.
Supporters say the punishment is disproportionate, especially for an officer responding to a public safety matter. Others argue that all officers must be held to the highest standards, especially in paperwork and transparency.
As the story continues to gain attention, many are calling for a full review of misconduct panel thresholds, particularly where alleged dishonesty is based on interpretive language rather than clear intent to deceive.
