PC abused position with junior officer advances

A public misconduct hearing was held at Dorset Police Headquarters

A Dorset police officer who made unwelcome advances to a female junior colleague has been found guilty of gross misconduct.

PC 2299 Matthew Constable was suspended from duty and subsequently resigned following allegations about his behaviour in 2023 while he was a trainer of student officers.

A public misconduct hearing at Dorset Police Headquarters in Winfrith on Monday found he abused his position and breached the standards of professional behaviour.

Mr Constable will be added to the barred list, preventing him from working again in policing.

During the hearing, the panel was told Mr Constable had attempted to enter into "an unwanted sexual and improper emotional relationship", according to Dorset Police.

The force said the former PC had admitted all the allegations except one, which stated he had abused his position in an attempt to enter into a sexual relationship with the then vulnerable student officer.

The panel heard he accepted full responsibility for what had happened and wished to apologise to the student officer.

However, the panel ruled that his actions were sexually motivated and, had he still been a serving police officer, he would have been dismissed.

Dept Ch Con Rachel Farrell said she was "extremely disappointed" to learn about the officer's actions, particularly as he was "in an entrusted position training new student officers during the start of their careers".

"He abused that position and the decision of the panel reflects the seriousness of his behaviour," she said.

"Our officers are duty bound to adhere to the highest standards of behaviour and integrity at all times, including when off duty, and the public should quite rightly have confidence that when these standards fall below what is expected, swift and robust action will be taken."