Policeman 'coercive and controlling', panel finds

The disciplinary panel hearing took place at the Northamptonshire force's headquarters

A former police officer accused of inflicting coercive and controlling behaviour on two women has been found to have committed gross misconduct

The constable, who worked at Northamptonshire Police, breached the standards of professional behaviour with regards to two individuals who he had relationships with.

A disciplinary panel at Wootton Hall police headquarters heard the former PC, who was granted anonymity by the force, would have been dismissed had he not resigned prior to the hearing.

The panel said at the hearing that the officer had "inflicted a form of coercive and controlling behaviour on two females for a sustained period of time".

'Nasty and aggressive'

Police said he had resigned from the force days prior to the hearing on 20 October.

The disciplinary hearing was told one woman was "fearful about ending the relationship" with the former officer but after being told he "continued to try and continue the relationship".

It was heard that the second woman "referred to violent, nasty and aggressive behaviour" during their relationship.

The hearing decided evidence was credible and made a finding of gross misconduct.

The panel said: "Rather than try and calm situations down, he would often escalate them, and many would involve an outburst of anger and an act of violence.

"His responses had been implausible, and he had failed, on the evidence, to take ownership and accountability for his behaviour."

The force said the former officer did not attend the hearing.