'Error of judgement' | Employee sacked for lying about failed maths GCSE during recruitment process

A police officer has been sacked after bosses discovered he had lied about failing his maths GCSE and failing to pass an equivalent exam after his recruitment.

PC Kye Smith was dismissed from Devon and Cornwall Police after a disciplinary hearing found he had listed holding a C grade on his application to join the force in May 2019, which was false.

In November of the year, Smith was informed he had failed his Maths Function Level 2 - a government backed maths course equivalent to a GCSE maths pass grade. PC Smith challenged this and as a result, was provided with all his results including his GCSEs.

The disciplinary hearing stated that, as part of the application to join the police, Smith signed a declaration agreeing to inform the recruitment officer of any change in circumstances. At this time, Smith should have provided the information that he had not passed his Level 2 Maths and that he had provided incorrect GSCE results.