A police officer has resigned after forming an inappropriate relationship with a domestic abuse victim and has admitted to sending confidential information to people outside the force.
An expedited public hearing on misconduct was held on Thursday, June 9, at the Dorset Police Headquarters in Winfrith before Chief of Police Scott Chilton to consider the allegations that former police officer Robert Hopper failed to fulfill. the standards of professional conduct of conduct, confidentiality, authority, respect and courtesy, orders and instructions, and honesty and integrity.
Earlier this year, the Anti-Corruption Force Unit received information that the former PC Hopper had formed an inappropriate relationship with a domestic abuse victim he had met while responding to the incident and investigating the case.
On January 11 this year, the former PC Hopper attended a volunteer interview and admitted to having formed an unprofessional relationship with the woman, which violated Dorset police policies and procedures.
He also admitted to knowingly sending two e-mails containing material related to police matters to someone outside the organization.
The force referred the matter to the Independent Police Conduct Office, which took over the case as an independent investigation.
The former PC Hopper later resigned from the Force.
At the hearing, Police Chief Scott Chilton found that the former PC Hopper had breached standards of professional conduct and was guilty of serious misconduct. Had he not previously resigned, he would have been removed from the Force with immediate effect. He will be placed on the national police exclusion list, which prevents him from working within the police force in the future.
After the hearing, Deputy Chief of Police Sam de Reya said: “Former PC Hopper abused his position of trust to form an inappropriate and unprofessional relationship with a domestic abuse victim whom he had met. through this duty as a police officer.
“This is unacceptable and goes against the oath of a police officer to protect and serve the public and the Code of Ethics, which all members of the service must abide by.
“Our officers have a duty to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity at all times. to agents who behave in this way.
“The public expects and deserves to have confidence and trust in their police force. The outcome of this case sends a clear message to our agents, staff and the public that we will not tolerate this type of behavior and that solid investigations will be conducted into anyone suspected of misconduct.
“If you have any concerns about any member of the organization who has not complied with professional conduct standards, we encourage you to report your concerns to the Dorset Police so that they can be thoroughly investigated.”
Anyone can report any questions to Dorset Police by calling 101 or sending an email to countercorruptionunit.dorset@dorset.pnn.police.uk. Corruption can also be reported online at www.dorset.police.uk/contact/report-police-corruption/.
Alternatively, members of the public can contact the Independent Police Conduct Office (IOPC), details of which can be found on their website www.policeconduct.gov.uk or anonymously via Crimestoppers charity online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or toll free 0800 555 111.