Drink-driving detective found guilty of misconduct

A former police superintendent who drove while three times the legal drink-drive limit has been found guilty of gross misconduct.

A hearing held at Dorset Police headquarters on Wednesday found Det Supt Paul Kessell had breached appropriate standards of behaviour and would have been dismissed had he not already resigned.

On 13 September, he pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle when above the legal alcohol limit, and will be sentenced on 5 November.

Dorset Police Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said the force took "swift action" whenever a staff member was found to have fallen below "the highest standards of professionalism and integrity".

Det Supt Kessell was found to have 115 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when he was arrested on the A352 in Wool, Dorset, on 4 August.

The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Previously, the officer commented on police misconduct cases in his role in charge of police standards.

In 2022, he said an officer who was twice the legal limit had "brought discredit upon the police service".

He added: "Such behaviour will not be tolerated within policing."

After Det Supt Kessell's misconduct hearing, DCC Farrell said the force recognised the "devastating consequences that can arise from people driving while under the influence of alcohol".

"Whether on or off duty, we always expect our police officers and staff to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity," she said.

"[We] remain committed to identifying and taking action against anyone who is found to be intoxicated while driving."

Det Supt Kessell was also placed on the barred list, Dorset Police said.

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