Police officer, 32, died after being arrested at home over misconduct claims while on paternity leave, inquest told
PC Alex Hazlett-Beard, 32, died while on paternity leave in February this year - just one month after his baby daughter was born.
The Hampshire police officer was facing a misconduct investigation following an accident which occurred 18 months before his arrest, the hearing was told.
The Pre-Inquest Review Hearing in Winchester was attended by members of Mr Hazlett-Beard's family, including his wife Megan, a fellow police officer with whom he recently had a baby.
The hearing was told that he had been arrested in the early hours of the morning at his home in Southampton for an offence of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Nicholas Walker, Area Coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, said Mr Hazlett-Beard was involved in a 'bike crash'.
Pravin Fernando, who attended the hearing on behalf of Hampshire police, said that the offence was connected to this 2023 incident and 'contradictory accounts' regarding his speed in the crash.
Mr Fernando said that the police officer reported PTSD symptoms following this incident.
He died on February 11 2025 in the New Forest, Hants.
The force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over his death.
Sam Harmel, representing Pc Hazlett-Beard's widow Megan, said: 'Meg would like to have sight of Hampshire's policy, standard operating procedures, around the welfare of officers on paternity leave, especially for issues around being arrested.'
Mr Fernando responded: 'If there is a policy, it should be released.'
Coroner Walker said a complaint was made against Hampshire Constabulary to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and an investigation had been launched by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Mr Fernando said the probe was expected to take nine months with a further six months for the IOPC to review its report.
But the coroner was dissatisfied that the probe would be a particularly lengthy process: 'A complaint has been made in respect of Hampshire's handling of this case. It's clear to me that Greater Manchester Police aren't going to conclude this in a matter of days.
'I am utterly frustrated by the delay, for the family this is intolerable, they want this next week, not next year.'
Pc Hazlett-Beard's father Nick said: 'My view is let GMP do its thing as they understand the police system, they understand how to do things, they understand what is good and what is not good.
'And they possibly understand if someone is being devious and finding a way around things.'
Mr Walker said issues to be looked at by the full inquest included the arrest of Pc Hazlett-Beard at his home, welfare support for him and his firearms application.
The dead father has been described as a 'respected colleague and friend' in a tribute by Hampshire Police Federation, which represents the force's rank-and-file.
Spencer Wragg, chair of the Federation, said: 'This is heartbreaking and devastating news.
'Alex was a dedicated officer who served the force diligently for a number of years.
'He was a well loved and respected colleague and friend.
'I had the pleasure of working with Alex and I know his loss is felt by many in the force. He will be much missed.
'All of our thoughts are with his family at this awful time and we are offering them as much support as we can.
'We are also supporting colleagues and ask that they contact us should they need.'
PC Hazlett-Beard joined Hampshire police seven years ago.
Police said his death is not being treated as suspicious.
The inquest is due to take place on the week starting September 28 2026.
A force spokesperson said: 'Alex's family are being supported by the Police Federation and by our force chaplain.
'We have also provided welfare and wellbeing support to his team and to others who knew and worked with Alex.
'We have referred this matter to the IOPC, which is mandatory in circumstances such as these.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
FBI fires more top officials who investigated Trump
The FBI has fired more top officials who had investigated President Donald Trump or who responded to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Under the Trump-appointed Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, the agency has seen an array of ousters, which critics say were essentially done in retaliation against agents involved in politically sensitive cases. Five new ousters, among them former Acting Director Brian Driscoll, were reported Thursday by The New York Times, which cited people familiar with the matter. Driscoll had refused to turn over the names of FBI agents who worked on the investigation into the January 6 attack, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building in a failed attempt to overturn Trump's 2020 election loss. 'Last night, I was informed that tomorrow will be my last day in the F.B.I.,' Driscoll said in a message to his colleagues about his departure, which the NYT shared. 'I understand that you may have a lot of questions regarding why, for which I currently have no answers. No cause has been articulated at this time.' Steven Jensen, head of the FBI's Washington field office, who played a major role in responding to the January 6 attack, was also forced out this week, according to the NYT's sources. Additionally, agents Walter Giardina and Christopher Meyer, who both worked on investigations involving Trump, were ousted, per the sources. Spencer Evans, a senior agent at the bureau, was also dismissed, the paper reported. Trump supporters have accused Evans of denying religious exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine when he worked for the agency's human resources. When The Independent reached out to the FBI about the oustings, the agency declined to comment. The FBI Agents Association, an advocacy group for current and retired FBI agents, said in a statement Thursday it was 'deeply concerned' by the reported firings. 'Agents are not given the option to pick and choose their cases, and these Agents carried out their assignments with professionalism and integrity. Most importantly, they followed the law,' the advocacy group said. It added: 'If these Agents are fired without due process, it makes the American people less safe. Agents need to be focused on their work and not on potentially being illegally fired based on their assignments.' In late January, shortly after Trump took office, multiple top FBI officials promoted by former Director Christopher Wray were told to resign or retire, and if they didn't, they would be demoted or reassigned, journalist Ken Dilanian reported, citing multiple sources. Trump was the one who appointed Wray, but by the time he finished his first term, their relationship soured. He applauded his December 2024 resignation, writing on Truth Social at the time it was a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice.' In early February, FBI agents who worked on investigations into Trump and on cases surrounding the January 6 attack sued the Justice Department to block the administration from 'unlawful' and 'retaliatory' purges.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Met Police: You will never be able to travel to US or work in education again if you attend this weekend's Palestine Action protest
Palestine Action demonstrators may never be able to visit the US or work in education if they take part in this weekend's protest, the Met Police have warned. The force have said those in attendance risk being arrested under the Terrorism Act. It comes after three supporters of Palestine Action were the first to be charged under the Act, Scotland Yard has said. The group was proscribed as a terror organisation last month after an alleged attack on aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Two women and a man, who were arrested at a demonstration on July 5 and later charged, are set to appear in court next month. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan has warned participating at the protest could have serious consequences for the future. The Daily Telegraph reported he said: 'I would urge those people to consider the seriousness of being arrested under the Terrorism Act and the very real long term implications from - from travel, to employment, to finances, that such an arrest is likely to have for their future.' Being arrested for a terror offence - even if later cleared - could stop you from travelling to the US or working in education, lawyers have urged. Membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. At least 500 activists are set to swarm the police this Saturday and join a demonstration at Parliament Square, in which they will hold signs saying 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action '. It has fuelled fears of a 'mass arrest' event, with police and No 10 confirming this week that anyone who supported the newly proscribed terror group would be arrested. But Tim Crosland, co-founder of Defender Our Juries, which is organising this weekend's protest, said he was 'proud' of those who had signed up to show support for Palestine Action, calling them 'the moral backbone of this country'. He told Times Radio that arresting peaceful protesters was a waste of police time. Prison bosses have initiated emergency measures for a possible influx of arrested demonstrators this weekend amid concerns that some jails are close to full.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Child 'is hit by bus outside hospital in Kent'
A child was struck by a bus outside a hospital in Kent, prompting emergency services to scramble to the scene. Police and an air ambulance were called to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in Margate, Kent, at around 4pm on Thursday. A cordon was also erected around Ramsgate Road and remains in force, with drivers being warned to find a different route. According to Kent Online, the incident involved a child and occurred just metres away from the main entrance of the hospital. A police spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'Kent Police was called at 4.04pm on Thursday 7 August to reports of a collision involving a pedestrian and a bus on Ramsgate Road, Margate. 'Officers are currently at the scene and the road remains closed. Drivers are advised to find alternative routes.'
