Former Dorset Police Superintendent found guilty of gross misconduct
A hearing found Paul Kessell breached appropriate standards of behaviour
Last updated 24th Oct 2024
A former Dorset police superintendent who was convicted of drink-driving at more than three times the limit has been found guilty of gross misconduct.
Paul Kessell pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates' Court last month, prompting a misconduct hearing to be held over whether he breached appropriate policing standards.
The 45-year-old resigned from the force after his court hearing, and Dorset Police bosses said he would have been sacked if he had not already quit.
The drink driving charge related to an incident on the A352 in Wool at around 4.00pm on Sunday 4th August 2024.
Former Detective Supt Kessell was stopped and breathalysed at the scene.
He was found to have 115 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
Police said he would have been dismissed from the Force had he not already resigned.
Former Detective Supt Kessell is due to be sentenced for the drink drive offence at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 5th November.
He was not on duty at the time of the incident and was suspended from duty pending the outcome of court and misconduct proceedings.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell, of Dorset Police, said:
“Whether on or off duty, we always expect our police officers and staff to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity."