A Hertfordshire Constabulary officer is facing a misconduct hearing after being accused of taking and sharing an 'intimate photograph' of another officer without their consent.

Probationary PC Stuart Knight will face a public hearing next week for incidents alleged to have happened in November 2020.

The allegations include the officer failing to act with "fairness, respect and courtesy, discriminated unlawfully and brought discredit upon the police service" through comments about, and to, another student officer.

Another allegation claims that he showed another student officer inappropriate photographs from an Instagram page during a group exercise.

The police say the allegations concern standards in relation to a) Authority, Respect and Courtesy, b) Discreditable Conduct, C) Equality and Diversity.

Hertfordshire Constabulary have outlined the allegations against the officer:

"Between 4 November 2020 and 13 November 2020, PC Stuart Knight failed to act with fairness, respect and courtesy, discriminated unlawfully and brought discredit upon the police service, in that he made unacceptable comments about, and to, another student officer.

"On 4 November 2020, PC Stuart Knight failed to act with respect and courtesy and acted in a manner that brought discredit upon the police service, in that he took and disseminated an intimate photograph of another officer without that officer's consent.

"On 4 November 2020, PC Stuart Knight failed to act with respect and courtesy and acted in a manner that brought discredit upon the police service.

"On 12 November 2020, PC Stuart Knight acted in a manner that brought discredit upon the police service.

"Between 2 November 2020 and 14 November 2020, PC Stuart Knight failed to act with respect and courtesy and acted in a manner that brought discredit upon the police service in that he showed another student officer inappropriate photographs from an Instagram page during a group exercise."

The misconduct hearing will take place at the Focolare Centre of Unity, Welwyn Garden City on November 1.

When officers face allegations of gross misconduct they must face a misconduct hearing. If they are found to have breached the relevant standards of professional behaviour they may be dismissed.