![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1_Avon-And-Somerset-Police-Hq.jpg\")
The HQ of Avon And Somerset Police and Avon Fire and Rescue in Portishead(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)<\/p>\nPC Liam Reakes was found to have committed gross misconductThe HQ of Avon And Somerset Police and Avon Fire and Rescue in Portishead(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)<\/p>\n
A \u2018deceitful and dishonest\u2019 former police officer who weighed down the Z character on his laptop keyboard to fake working from home has been barred from the profession.<\/p>\n
PC Liam Reakes was found to have committed gross misconduct at a tribunal at Avon & Somerset Police headquarters in Portishead<\/a> on Monday, June 9, and would have been dismissed without notice had he not resigned last month.<\/p>\n The officer, who was based in Yeovil, admitted holding down the key during numerous shifts for a total of 103 hours between June and September 2024, sometimes for more than four hours at a time.<\/p>\n A subsequent audit of keystrokes showed he had been doing this since the previous September, the misconduct hearing was told.<\/p>\n Panel chairman Craig Holden said: \u201cThis is deceitful and dishonest behaviour.<\/p>\n \u201cThe impact on the trust the public have in the police service will be damaged.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had lied during the interview process when he could have come clean, and the activity was regular and sustained.\u201d<\/p>\n PC Reakes, who did not attend the hearing, admitted opening a blank Word document and holding down the Z key for long periods of time but denied that this was to give a false impression he was working from home when he was not.<\/p>\n He accepted his behaviour fell below the standards expected but denied gross misconduct.<\/p>\n Barrister Mark Ley-Morgan, representing the force, said: \u201cHe knew he was being paid for work that he was not doing.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are all entitled to take a break and have a cup of tea but this was far beyond that.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no place in the police service for dishonest officers.\u201d<\/p>\n He said there were concerns about PC Reakes\u2019 performance throughout 2024 which led to a number of meetings with his sergeant.<\/p>\n Mr Ley-Morgan said the officer\u2019s case was that he was struggling with mental health issues and that he lacked the support and motivation that working alongside colleagues in an office gave him.<\/p>\n He said PC Reakes argued that he held down the Z character to protect his mental health as it could allow him to see his computer screen and respond promptly to messages.<\/p>\n But the barrister said the officer made no mention of mental health difficulties during the conversations with his sergeant and that there was no evidence to support the claim.<\/p>\n Head of the professional standards department Det Supt Larisa Hunt said afterwards: \u201cPC Reakes was the subject of an action plan and was allocated a tutor due to concerns over his performance prior to the keyboard audit being carried out.<\/p>\n \u201cThe use of any device or system to replicate keyboard activity is wholly wrong and deceptive and the public will be rightly outraged at this behaviour.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only has he let down those he made a commitment to serve and protect but he\u2019s also let down his colleagues, who are continuing to deal with significant pressure and workloads.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re continually reminding line managers of their key responsibilities to hold regular check-ins, one-to-ones, and reviews, so the wellbeing and capacity of their staff can be properly monitored.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s also important for performance issues to be identified early and any necessary support or training put in place to help resolve them.\u201d<\/p>\n PC Reakes will be added to the national barred list preventing him from working in policing or other law enforcement agencies again.<\/p>\n Join Bristol Live\u2019s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Bristol Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose \u2018Exit group\u2019.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_WhatsApp-Phone.jpg\")
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