Dorset Police sees Rise in Officer Suspensions and Misconduct Cases

Dorset Police has seen a steady flow of officers suspended, dismissed, or facing serious misconduct investigations over the past few years, according to data released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Figures published by the force show that between 2021 and 2024, a total of 146 police officers were the subject of one or more conduct allegations. Of these, 19 cases proceeded to formal misconduct hearings — resulting in four dismissals, six final written warnings, and seven cases where the officer “would have been dismissed if still serving”.

The data highlights a persistent stream of disciplinary action, with the majority of hearings ending in either dismissal or its equivalent — a rate of nearly 60% among those reaching the hearing stage.

Separate FOI disclosures show that suspension levels have fluctuated but remain a recurring issue. As of March 2024, six officers were suspended and ten placed on restricted duties. By September 2025, the force confirmed three officers remained suspended on full pay — two constables and a sergeant — facing allegations of domestic abuse and rape or sexual touching.

Earlier data paints a picture of how these figures have evolved. Between 2017 and 2022, Dorset Police recorded 36 officer suspensions in total, peaking at 11 in 2022, up from just one in 2021. The reasons for suspension range from alleged criminal offences to breaches of professional standards.

An internal table covering 2019 to late 2024 lists each suspension by rank, reason, and duration — with several officers suspended for over a year while investigations were ongoing

Sexual Misconduct

Dorset Police has also confirmed that officers have been dismissed and/or prosecuted for sexual assaults in recent years. Two such cases were recorded in 2021 and 2022, including one rape case in 2022. Both officers were dismissed following internal proceedings.

The issue mirrors national concerns raised across UK forces about violence against women and girls, and follows the policing inspectorate’s calls for greater transparency and faster handling of such cases.

While the disclosure logs provide no official commentary, the figures indicate a force grappling with both misconduct and serious criminal allegations among its ranks.

Nationally, police watchdog data show a rise in misconduct hearings across forces as departments respond to public pressure for transparency and as vetting standards tighten.

Dorset Police, which employs roughly 1,400 officers, is therefore seeing a significant proportion facing formal scrutiny at some point in their career — though not all cases result in dismissal or proven wrongdoing.

You can view all FOI Requests sent to Dorset Police here