A POLICE officer faces a misconduct hearing this week over allegations she tried to "deceive" staff at a Wirral branch of Tesco that she had paid for her shopping.

Constable Smith will appear before a misconduct hearing on Thursday, January 13 for breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour "in relation to honesty and integrity, discreditable conduct and authority, and respect and courtesy."

A notice on the Merseyside Police website said: "The officer will face allegations that on December 22 2020, whilst in possession of £238.72 of goods from Tesco store, Heswall, she intended to leave the store without paying.

"When challenged by a member of staff, she attempted to deceive staff in to believing she had paid for the items.

"The officer, who was dressed in part uniform, subtly showed her Warrant Card, which in the circumstances was an abuse of police powers/authority.

"Although payment was eventually made in full, the actions of the officer were dishonest."

Available outcomes of a misconduct hearing include a range of actions from a written warning to dismissal without notice.