FIGURES reveal the number of Dorset officers who have been barred from policing, with the Dorset police and crime commissioner stating that “public confidence is key” to the force.

Data from the College of Policing shows the number of barred officers each year, with four Dorset Police officers banned in the year ending 2023/2024.

It was an increase from the two officers the year before but is lower than the figures in neighbouring forces.

Devon and Cornwall Police and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary both saw 14 officers barred in the recent year.

(Image: Newsquest)

Dorset police and crime commissioner, David Sidwick said: “It is right that when a Dorset Police officer fails to uphold the highest standards, robust action is taken.

“The public rightly expect Dorset Police officers to uphold the highest standards of behaviour, and for me, their representative in policing, to ensure these standards are not just upheld and enforced, but scrutinised to ensure they are fit for purpose.

“I want to assure the public that I am wholly committed to holding the force up to the light of public scrutiny.

“Along with my office, I do this through a number of measures, including scrutiny panels and close examination of areas of the Force’s own governance framework.

“Public confidence is key to policing, and along with the force leadership I remain dedicated to ensuring those not fit to serve are dealt with robustly and swiftly.”

Dorset Police detective superintendent Paul Kessell, the former head of professional standards, was recently barred after being found “swerving all over the road” while drink driving.

In 2023, Dorset Police officer, Ravi Canhye, was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a woman.

He was jailed for 16 and a half years, and later barred from policing.

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Deputy chief constable Rachel Farrell of Dorset Police said: “The public should quite rightly have confidence that police officers and staff strive to attain the highest standards of ethical behaviour and that when these standards fall below expectations, swift and robust action is taken.

“It is disappointing that we have had officers and staff dismissed and barred from working in policing, but in each case, I know this has been the right thing to do.”

DCC Farrell said any member of staff that does not hold the highest standards of behaviour, on or off duty, will be investigated and face a misconduct hearing if necessary.

“We have independent lay members on those panels to help provide reassurance to the public about decisions being made.

“We know the vast majority of employees within the organisation are professional and do not demonstrate such behaviour, and Dorset does have a positive and professional workplace culture.

“We are service-orientated and want to deliver for victims and the wider public.”

Dorset Police encourage reporting through campaigns such as ‘call it out’ which allows officer and staff to speak out on behaviour that does not meet the force’s values and expectations.

“We won’t ever be complacent, but I am confident the force has the determination and capability to identify and remove those who are not suitable to be officers or staff in our organisation whilst dealing robustly with those subject to criminal and misconduct offences.

“We know public trust in us depends on it.”