A FORMER Dorset Police constable has been found guilty of gross misconduct after using his senior position to try and enter into an unwanted sexual relationship with a junior female colleague.

A public misconduct hearing at the Dorset Police headquarters in Winfrith, which ended yesterday (September 8), found PC Matthew Constable breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, duties and responsibility and discreditable conduct and was guilty of gross misconduct.

This comes after PC Constable was training new student officers from Ferndown police station in 2023, where he used his senior position to try and take advantage of a vulnerable junior colleague he was tasked to train. 

The panel were told Constable had admitted all the allegations before him except one, which stated he had abused his position in an attempt to enter into a sexual relationship with the then vulnerable student officer.

Constable instead claimed it was an attempt to enter into an emotional relationship – not a sexual relationship.

The issue was reported to the force’s professional standards department in September 2023 which then started a misconduct investigation.

Constable was immediately suspended from duty and resigned from the Force in August 2024.

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

However, the panel did not agree and ruled that his actions were sexually motivated.

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The force said that had he still been a serving police officer, he would have been dismissed immediately without notice.

The panel found he had breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, duties and responsibility and discreditable conduct and was guilty of gross misconduct.

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

Deputy chief constable Rachel Farrell said she was “extremely disappointed” to learn about Constable’s actions

“[He] was in an entrusted position training new student officers during the start of their careers,” she said. “However, he abused that position and the decision of the panel reflects the seriousness of his behaviour.

“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.

“It is important to highlight that the vast majority of employees within the organisation are professional and do not demonstrate behaviour that has been heard in this hearing. Unfortunately, former PC 2299 Matthew Constable did not meet these high standards.

“We are committed to investigating any unethical or unacceptable behaviour relating to a member of our organisation and I would encourage members of the public to report them to the Force so they can be thoroughly investigated.”

A full report from the panel chair will be submitted to the force and published on the police website. Constable will be able to appeal the decision should he wish to do so.

People are encouraged to report any concerns directly to Dorset Police via the website or by emailing misconduct@dorset.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively members of the public can contact the Independent Office for Police Conduct – details of which can be found via their website www.policeconduct.gov.uk or anonymously via the Crimestoppers charity online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or freephone 0800 555 111.

Members of the public can also report matters to the Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service by calling 0800 085 0000 or via Crimestoppers’ website to provide information you have about a serving police officer, staff member or volunteer in the UK.