A DETECTIVE is facing a misconduct hearing over the way he handled a string of abuse allegations.

Det Con Peter Wood is set to go in front of a disciplinary panel next week over alleged incidents which took place between June 2013 and August 2014.

The hearing will focus on the way he investigated four incidents of alleged abuse during that 15 month period.

A three person panel will have to decide whether the detective breached the standards of professional behaviour which all police officers are expected to adhere to.

Wood is alleged to have fallen foul of the orders and instructions, duties and responsibilities and honesty and integrity categories.

If he is found to have committed gross misconduct, then the officer could be dismissed without notice or given a warning.

It is also possible for no further action to be taken or for advice to be offered from senior management.

If officers are dismissed then they can also be placed on the disapproved register when they have left Essex Police.

This prevents them from gaining employment as a police officer at any other force in the UK.

The hearing will be overseen by legally qualified chairman Siobhan Goodrich at Southend Civic Centre.

It has been scheduled to start on Monday and has been pencilled in to last two weeks.