A conduct panel has found that a serving Essex Police officer has committed gross misconduct.

Officer “A” was found to have committed gross misconduct following multiple allegations of common assault towards his wife and also found to have behaved in a disrespectful, coercive and/or controlling manner towards her.

The victim is a serving Essex Police Officer.

The conduct panel also determined that Officer “A” had lied to a 999 call handler.

Officer “A” was charged with common assault following an incident on February 9 2020.

He was off duty at the time.

He denied the charge and stood trial.

On March 25 2021, at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, the case was dismissed. 

An Essex Police misconduct hearing, chaired by independent Legally Qualified Chair Lyndsey De-Mestre, took place at Chelmsford Civic Centre between September 26 and 30 this year.

The panel found the matter breached Professional Standards of Discreditable Conduct and Honesty and Integrity and was proven to the level of gross misconduct.

The officer was dismissed without notice.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “The role of every police officer is to protect the public from harm.

“The actions of Officer A were utterly unacceptable and that is why they were sacked.

“Any officer who unlawfully assaults someone, as in this case, will be held to account.

“Essex Police is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and tackling violence against women and girls.

“The actions of Officer A do not represent the values of Essex Police or the overwhelming majority who are proud to serve in the force."