A FORMER Tavistock police officer has been barred from any further role in policing following a public misconduct hearing last week.

Rachel Short, who was an acting detective sergeant based at Tavistock, allegedly had an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a man who was under investigation for drug offences in 2014.

DC Short faced an independent gross misconduct hearing on July 31, who determined that her actions amounted to ‘gross misconduct by breaching the standards of professional behaviour expected from a police officer’. It concluded that she would have been recommended for immediate dismissal had she not previously resigned.

Following the hearing, superintendent Pete Windle said: ‘These proceedings took place following an investigation into allegations relating to DC Short having an inappropriate relationship with an individual who was, at the time, under investigation thereby breaching the standards of professional behaviour.

‘As DC Short had already resigned from the force on July 28, 2018, the hearing was held under the former officer regulations. Had DC Short still been serving with the force, the outcome would have been dismissal with immediate effect.’

He said that DC Short’s details would now be submitted to the College of Policing for inclusion on the barred list, preventing her from having any role in policing in the future.

He added: ‘We expect the highest standards of professional behaviour from all our officers and staff. The constable’s behaviour in this case directly contradicts the force’s values, the Code of Ethics and the standards of professional behaviour.

‘The public rightly sets high expectations of the police and on this occasion the officer’s conduct seriously breached this expectation. Discreditable conduct and a lack of honesty and integrity will not be tolerated within the Devon and Cornwall Police and it is the aim of a misconduct hearing such as this to protect the public and to maintain the highest standards and good reputation of what is an honourable profession.

‘The overwhelming majority of officers uphold this high standard day in and day out and provide an exceptional service to our communities.’