Employees still working at Dorset Police despite domestic abuse accusations

The statistics were obtained in a Freedom of Information request covering the UK on police staff reported for domestic abuse between January 2018 and September last year.

They included 36 in Dorset Police - with 31 of them still in a job with the force towards the end of last year when the freedom of information requests were sent out.

Within Dorset Police, of those reported for domestic abuse, two were disciplined, three convicted of domestic abuse and two removed from their roles.

Deputy Chief Constable of Dorset Police, Sam de Reya said: “All reports of domestic abuse, including those involving police officers or staff, are prioritised and investigated fully by Dorset Police. In recent years officers and staff have undertaken considerable bespoke domestic abuse training, shaped by local and national best practice. This is aimed at improving individual skills to enhance our response, victim care and investigation standards to protect and support our most vulnerable victims.

“In six cases during the relevant period, individuals employed by Dorset Police were the subject of criminal or disciplinary proceedings. Two of these resulted in criminal outcomes and in the other four cases the allegations were not upheld.

“With the remaining 24 cases these matters would have been the subject of the same careful consideration and assessment as all other criminal cases brought to us and no criminal offences or misconduct matters were made out."

Ruth Davison, the CEO of Refuge, said: "I can’t overstate how serious this is. Domestic abuse is fundamentally about power and control, the abuse of power.

"And police officers do have power — they’re supposed to use that for our benefit to uphold the law and to keep us safe."

Disciplinary actions, which can include written warnings or suspension, were taken against 120 officers and staff (nine per cent), but just 45 reports (three per cent) led to convictions.

A spokesman from Dorset Police said: "With the remaining 24 cases, these matters would have been the subject of the same careful consideration and assessment as all other criminal cases brought to us and no criminal offences or misconduct matters were made out.

"Dorset Police takes all allegations of domestic abuse and domestic-related incidents extremely seriously, particularly where they involve our own staff, and we are committed to doing all we can to identify any offences committed and take action against those responsible, as well as supporting victims.

"Most recently we have introduced an internal group to support victims of gender-based violence within our own teams to encourage them to come forward to report offences and to provide support. We are committed to reducing domestic violence in our communities, supporting victims and dealing robustly with offenders."