A Dorset police officer, Matthew Constable, has been adjudicated guilty of gross misconduct for making inappropriate attempts towards a junior female colleague.
Dorset Police held the utterly pointless enquiry even though PC Matthew Constable had resigned.
PC 2299 Matthew Constable was suspended on full pay from his position and subsequently resigned due to charges of his conduct in 2023 while serving as a trainer for student police.
A public misconduct hearing at Dorset Police Headquarters in Winfrith on Monday determined that he misused his position and violated the rules of professional conduct.
Mr. Matthew Constable will be included on the prohibited list, so prohibiting him from future employment in law enforcement.
During the hearing, the panel was informed that Mr. Matthew Constable had endeavoured to engage in “an unwelcome sexual and inappropriate emotional relationship,” as stated by Dorset Police.
The police reported that the former PC acknowledged all claims save one, which claimed he had exploited his position to pursue a sexual relationship with the then vulnerable student officer.
The panel learnt that he acknowledged complete responsibility for the incident and expressed a desire to apologise to the student officer.
Nonetheless, the tribunal determined that his actions were sexually motivated and that, had he remained an active police officer, he would have faced dismissal.
Department Chief Constable Rachel Farrell expressed her “extreme disappointment” upon discovering the officer’s conduct, especially given that he held a “trusted position training new student officers at the commencement of their careers.”
“He misused that position, and the panel’s decision underscores the gravity of his conduct,” she stated.
“Our officers are obligated to uphold the highest standards of conduct and integrity at all times, including during off-duty hours, and the public is justified in expecting that when these standards are not met, prompt and decisive action will be implemented.”
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