Former officer found guilty of gross misconduct

A misconduct hearing has found an ex Dorset Police officer guilty of gross misconduct.

The meeting was held at the Dorset Police headquarters in Winfrith yesterday to consider an allegation that between January 2023 and June 2024 the former officer used a police records management system to repeatedly access data relating to others without having a legitimate or lawful reason to do so.

The former officer when interviewed admitted that they had unlawfully and improperly accessed personal data of members of the public.

In August 2024 the former officer admitted being guilty of an offence under section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018 and received a conditional caution. Subsequently, they retired from Dorset Police.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell, of Dorset Police, said: “The actions of the former officer constituted repeated unlawful behaviour – involving a number of breaches – and as an experienced officer they knew this. They directly contravened the training they had received in this respect.

“Police officers are responsible for upholding the law and when they themselves break it, this seriously harms public trust and confidence. The former officer was in a position of trust, should have treated information with respect and acted with integrity.

“I hope that the outcome of the hearing shows the importance we place on integrity. This former officer’s conduct fell well below the expected standards of anyone working in our organisation, discrediting not just Dorset Police but policing as a whole.”