Dorset police and crime commissioner challenges Chief Constable on anti-misconduct plans

DORSET Police is being challenged to explain what it is doing to ensure the highest professional standards.

It comes after recent court appearances for a small number of officers and staff, writes Trevor Bevins of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

At a meeting of the police and crime panel, police and crime commissioner David Sidwick said they may have shaken public confidence in the force.

He has formally called on Chief Constable Scott Chilton to explain what actions are being taken to stamp out misconduct and lay out how it carries out the vetting of officers.

The action involves issuing Mr Chilton, who is soon moving take charge at Hampshire police, with what is known as a formal challenge letter – which must be responded to.

Mr Sidwick said: “I and the people of Dorset expect Dorset Police to conduct themselves to the highest standard.”

He went on to give the briefest details of what he described as “fiddling expenses” and a “substantial theft” which resulted in a jail term, together with recent sexual offence charges against a serving Dorset officer, alleged to have been committed when off duty.

He said: “It’s a matter of great sadness that the abhorrent actions of a small number of police officers, alongside the service’s handling of such individuals, continues to dent the public’s confidence in UK policing.

“We forget the great number of police officers who go through doors every day to keep us safe.”

He raised the case of a Metropolitan Police officer who admitted 49 sexual offences and had continued to work without detection for years.

Mr Sidwick has also asked the force to explain what protections are in place for those who whistleblow or raise internal concerns.