Former Dorset Police officer found guilty of gross misconduct
Ex-PC Robert Hopper had an inappropriate relationship with a domestic abuse victim
A former Dorset Police officers has been found guilty of gross misconduct - for having an inappropriate relationship with a victim of domestic abuse.
42 year old Robert Hopper faced a public hearing yesterday (Thursday 9th June) after the force's Counter Corruption Unit received information of the relationship.
Former PC Hopper met the woman when he was responding to an incident and investigating her case.
In January this year, he admitted during a voluntary interview to forming the inappropriate relationship, breaching Dorset Police's policies and procedures.
He also admitted sending two emails containing details of policing matters to someone outside the organisation.
Now, Chief Constable Scott Chilton has found at a hearing that former PC Hopper had breached the standards of professional behaviour and was guilty of gross misconduct.
Had he not previously resigned, he would have been dismissed from the Force with immediate effect.
He will be placed on the national policing barred list preventing him from working within policing in the future.
Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya said:
“Former PC Hopper abused his position of trust to form an inappropriate and unprofessional relationship with a victim of domestic abuse 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 every member of the service should abide by.
“Our officers are duty bound to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity at all times. It is quite right that he has been found guilty of gross misconduct as there is no place in our police service for officers who behave in this way.
“The public expect and deserve to have trust and confidence in their police force. The outcome of this case sends out a clear message to our officers, staff and to the public that we will not tolerate this type of behaviour and robust investigations will be carried out into anyone who is suspected of misconduct.
“If you have any concerns in respect of any member of the organisation failing to have upheld professional standards of behaviour, we would encourage you to please report your concerns to Dorset Police so they can be thoroughly investigated.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has also commented on the case.
Regional director David Ford said:
“Cases such as these have the real potential to impact on public confidence in the police. At the outset of their service, it is made clear to officers that it is unacceptable to have or seek inappropriate and unprofessional contact with members of the public who they deal with through their professional duties.
“PC Hopper’s improper conduct is exacerbated by the fact that he was the allocated officer in charge of the woman’s domestic abuse case. Following a gross misconduct hearing it has been determined that he would have been dismissed had he still been serving. This sends a clear message that behaviour of this kind has no part in policing and will not be tolerated.”