PC Nicholas Lovatt, a familiar face from the Channel 5 programme Traffic Cops, has been dismissed from Derbyshire police following a misconduct hearing. The officer, who had served with the force since 2001, was found to have committed criminal offences and deceived fellow officers.
Offences and deception
During a misconduct hearing on Wednesday, September 2, overseen by Chief Constable Simon Blatchly, PC Lovatt was found to have operated two motorcycles without insurance or a valid MOT on multiple occasions. He acknowledged driving his personal motorcycle without insurance and while it was registered as SORN (not taxed and without a valid MOT) on 16 occasions between September 16 and November 25, 2025.
Additionally, he operated a second vehicle, belonging to a close associate and with an expired MOT and SORN status, on six occasions during September and October 2025. He insured his personal motorcycle on November 25 and was stopped by an officer on November 26, when he stated the bike had "not been on the road for ages", despite having ridden it for more than two months.
Hearing findings
While PC Lovatt accepted the allegations, he refuted acting dishonestly or without integrity and also contested gross misconduct. Chief Con Blatchly concluded that Lovatt had violated the standards of honesty and integrity and that his behaviour had been discreditable, stating 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."
Impact and dismissal
Chief Con Blatchly mentioned he had received a number of good quality character references about PC Lovatt, adding that he had been "well liked and well respected" across the force and noting 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."
