Serving Dorset Police officer sentenced for public order offence
DI Mark Portelli acted aggressively outside a Bournemouth nightclub
A serving Dorset Police officer has been sentenced for a public order offence, committed while he was off duty.
4\5 year old Detective Inspector Mark Portelli, has been sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday 18th December) - receiving a fine of £500 and being ordered to pay costs and surcharges.
He'd previously been found guilty of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
DI Portelli was arrested in March following reports of a disturbance at the Canvas night club in Poole Hill in Bournemouth.
Dorset Police Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said:
“DI Portelli’s actions on the night in question clearly fell well below the expectations of behaviour for our officers and staff. We took swift action to arrest, suspend and investigate the officer. That investigation led to today’s court case.
“Members of the public quite rightly have the expectation that our officers and staff should strive to adhere to the highest of standards in their behaviour, even when not on duty. The vast majority of our officers and staff do uphold these high standards and work really hard, day in day out, to make a difference to victims and their communities. Therefore I know our own officers and staff will also feel very let down by a fellow officer who has jeopardised the trust and confidence the public have in us.
“The officers attending the incident showed courage, integrity and clear impartiality and I commend them on their actions. DI Portelli will now face misconduct proceedings.
“Dorset Police will continue to ensure that when any of our officers or staff transgress in this manner, robust action is taken.”