A student police officer who deliberately lied to colleagues when questioned about whether he had an MOT for his car has been dismissed from Dorset Police.
Following a public misconduct hearing at Dorset Police Headquarters in Winfrith, which concluded yesterday, the panel found that Police Constable Alex Skidmore had breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to Honesty and Integrity, Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Discreditable Conduct and that the breaches amounted to gross misconduct.
While PC Skidmore had admitted to the breaches in full, the panel stated that the matter was so serious that the only outcome was dismissal without notice. He will also be added to the police barred list, which prevents him from holding any further role within policing.
The panel heard that on Monday 23rd October 2023 PC Skidmore, who joined the Force in September 2023 and was a student officer, was made aware that his car’s MOT certificate had expired. Later that day he booked the test for Friday 27 October 2023.
However, on Wednesday 25 October 2023 he was contacted by a colleague who asked whether he had put his car through the MOT. The panel heard that PC Skidmore lied and said his vehicle had been subject of an MOT earlier that day.
The following day PC Skidmore again lied to another colleague that it had been tested before driving them to Poole police station on Thursday 26 October 2023 so they could attend a course.
The matter was reported by colleagues and later that day PC Skidmore admitted when challenged by a police sergeant that he did not have an MOT.
Following an investigation by the Force’s Professional Standards Department, PC Skidmore was suspended and then returned to work on restricted duties.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: “All police officers, staff and volunteers are expected to act with the highest level of honesty and integrity and professional standards, which is crucial to ensure the public have trust and confidence in our ability to serve and protect them.
“After being asked about the MOT on his car, PC Skidmore chose to lie to his police officer colleagues twice. I am disappointed in his dishonest actions and the difficult position he placed his colleagues in. The outcome delivered by the panel reflects the seriousness of this.
“It is as a result of the lies he told and the lack of honesty and integrity that PC Skidmore has lost his career in policing.
“Tackling unethical or unacceptable behaviour remains a Force priority and work continues internally to ensure all officers, staff and volunteers understand the importance of calling out behaviour that falls below the expected standards. I am reassured that again PC Skidmore’s actions were challenged by colleagues and reported so it could be investigated.
“I continue to encourage members of the public to report this to us so they can be thoroughly investigated.”