A police officer who appeared on Channel 5's Traffic Cops has been sacked following a misconduct hearing over a series of road traffic offences.
PC Nicholas Lovatt, who had served with Derbyshire Police since 2001, was dismissed for repeatedly driving two motorbikes without insurance or a valid MOT.
Offences over two months
The misconduct hearing on September 2 heard that PC Lovatt drove his own motorbike without insurance and while it was registered as SORN - not taxed and without a valid MOT - 16 times between September 16 and November 25, 2025.
He also drove a second vehicle, owned by a close acquaintance, which had an expired MOT and was registered as SORN, six times in September and October 2025.
Officer claimed bike 'not been on the road for ages'
The hearing, conducted by Chief Constable Simon Blatchly, was told that the officer insured his own motorbike on November 25 and was stopped by an officer the following day.
PC Lovatt claimed to the officer that his bike had "not been on the road for ages", despite having driven it multiple times over a two-month period.
Gross misconduct found
PC Lovatt admitted the allegations but denied acting dishonestly or without integrity and also denied gross misconduct, reports Derbyshire Live.
Chief Con Blatchly determined that Lovatt had breached the standards of honesty and integrity and that his conduct had been discreditable, saying that his actions "significantly harm[ed] public trust and confidence".
"This Officer has, essentially, committed a large number of road traffic offences," the outcome document read. "He is an officer that dealt with road traffic for much of his career and he drove two vehicles when he was either uninsured or the vehicles were registered as SORN, i.e. not taxed or without a valid MOT."
"He will have dealt with many offenders on the roads throughout his policing career, who have put themselves and other road users at risk by committing such offences. For him to commit such misconduct himself is highly discreditable."
Chief Con Blatchly said he had received a number of good quality character references about PC Lovatt, who he described as having been "well liked and well respected" across the force. He also mentioned his contributions to high profile investigations.
"I note this behaviour came at a very stressful time for the Officer, during the breakdown of his marriage and subsequent separation," he added, finding that the potential of any mitigation was, however, "very limited".
It was found that Lovatt had committed gross misconduct through his actions, resulting in his dismissal from the police force.
"No other outcome than dismissal would be adequate to uphold public confidence in policing and maintain the high standards that I expect of officers of Derbyshire Constabulary," Chief Con Blatchly said. "I need to send a very clear message that officers cannot break the law themselves, nor be dishonest about it. I cannot endorse this behaviour with anything less than the most serious sanction."
