Former police officer barred after abuse conviction

A former police officer who suffocated a woman and subjected her to coercive and controlling behaviour has been permanently barred from policing.

PC Mitchell Curtis, who served in Bristol with Avon and Somerset Police, was found guilty at Gloucester Crown Court in November of controlling and coercive behaviour, intentional suffocation, and criminal damage.

A misconduct tribunal ruled he had committed gross misconduct and would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned.

Curtis, who also admitted taking cocaine, is due to be sentenced next week for offences that took place in South Gloucestershire while he was off duty.

During a five-week trial, the jury heard how Curtis had been physically, emotionally and verbally abusive towards the victim over an 18-month period.

Barrister Mark Ley-Morgan, representing the force, told the hearing at police headquarters in Portishead: "The officer's convictions for serious criminal offences seriously undermines public confidence in the police service and discredits it.

"We are dealing with convictions of violence and controlling and coercive behaviour by a male officer towards a female.

"The only outcome that can possibly maintain confidence in the police service is that he would have been dismissed had he still been serving."

The criminal damage conviction related to Curtis damaging the woman's car.

Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall praised the victim for her bravery and said Curtis should never work in policing again.

"Curtis's offending was abusive, manipulating and highly damaging and we want to be clear – he is in no way fit to be a police officer and should never hold a post in policing or law enforcement again," she said.

"No police officer is above the law.

"I hope the outcome of both the judicial and misconduct proceedings reassure any victim of crime that we take these matters incredibly seriously.

"We will always be perpetrator focussed, no matter who the offender is."

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