A senior police detective has been fired after using a hidden phone to listen in on his line manager’s conversations.
Former Essex Police detective sergeant Nicholas Riley hid a work phone in his line manager’s office and, between February and April 2025, used it to remotely eavesdrop on conversations taking place in the room.
The actions took place whilst Riley was on duty.
He was sacked after being found to have committed gross misconduct.
It was alleged that former DS Riley breached standards of professional behaviour in honesty and integrity, confidentiality and discreditable conduct.
During an accelerated misconduct hearing chaired by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington on December 19, Riley’s behaviour was found to be proven as gross misconduct, and he was dismissed without notice.
He was also placed on the College of Policing barred list.
The chief constable said: “This behaviour is clearly not in keeping with the incredibly high standards to which we hold our officers and staff at Essex Police.
“Once the behaviour was proven, the only acceptable outcome for this now-former officer was dismissal.”
He added: “The public rightly expects the officers who serve them to behave with integrity and honestly at the centre of their values.
“When this does not happen, we never hesitate in taking robust action, as this hearing shows.”
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