Former Officers Found Guilty of Gross Misconduct in Separate Cases

A former Dorset Police officer was found guilty of gross misconduct after admitting to repeatedly and unlawfully accessing personal data of members of the public through a police records management system without a legitimate reason, in violation of the Data Protection Act 2018. The misconduct hearing determined that, had the officer not already resigned, they would have been dismissed without notice and placed on the police barred list. The officer received a conditional caution after admitting the offense and expressing remorse. There was no evidence that any police investigation was compromised or that the officer disclosed the accessed information to others. Dorset Police leadership emphasized that such actions undermine public trust and the integrity of the force. The case highlights the importance placed on integrity and proper handling of sensitive information within law enforcement.