Former PC's failures 'put victims at further risk'

A misconduct hearing was held at Dorset Police's headquarters

A former police officer has been found guilty of gross misconduct for recording inaccurate details in safeguarding notices, placing victims and potential victims at "significant risk".

Mike Gardiner, who resigned as a PC from Dorset Police in December 2023, was the subject of a misconduct hearing at the force's headquarters in Winfrith this week.

The force said that on three occasions in August 2023, Mr Gardiner completed a Public Protection Notice - aimed at safeguarding children and vulnerable adults - when called to a victim's address.

However, bodyworn footage showed there were "significant discrepancies" between what victims told him and what he recorded in the notices.

This involved failing to accurately record details about injuries, physical or emotional abuse, use of weapons and alleged breach of bail conditions, the hearing was told.

The panel was also told Mr Gardiner had received training in 2022 about what information to record when dealing with incidents of rape and serious sexual offences, violence and domestic abuse.

In a statement read to the hearing, Mr Gardiner did not dispute his actions were a breach of the standards of professional behaviour.

Dorset Police said Mr Gardiner was found to have committed gross misconduct and would have been dismissed from the force if he had not already resigned.

He will also be placed on the police barred list, the force said.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said Mr Gardiner's failures "exposed victims to potential further harm".

She said: "We expect our officers and staff to accurately record information provided by victims so we can ensure they are safeguarded, and perpetrators are brought to justice.

"Putting victims first is a force priority and remains at the heart of everything we do, and I am proud of the dedication shown by the vast majority of officers, staff and volunteers who identify vulnerability and provide appropriate and timely safeguarding activity."