SEVERAL police officers have faced dismissal from Dorset Police over the past five years, new figures show.

Data from the Home Office shows seven officers have been dismissed from the force since April 2017, including one in the year to March.

The figures refer to officers who were made redundant, have been made to resign, or have had their contracts terminated including any asked to leave the force due to misconduct.

Across England and Wales 192 officers were sacked in 2021-22, up from 179 the year before.

Though dismissals are not always due to misconduct, the conduct of police officers has come under greater scrutiny in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard by serving Met officer Wayne Couzens, who will never be freed from prison after losing an appeal against his whole life sentence last week.

Data from the College of Policing, a professional body, shows nationally 257 officers were placed on the 'barred list' in the year to March 2021 (the latest figures), including two in Dorset.

This means they can no longer serve in the police, having been found to have committed gross misconduct while in the force.

The number of officers added to the list is higher than the number of dismissals, as many instead choose to resign or retire, 118 did so nationally in 2021.

Superintendent Paul Kessell, head of Dorset Police's Professional Standards Department, said: "Members of the public quite rightly expect our officers to operate with the highest levels of honesty, professionalism and integrity and we have a dedicated Professional Standards Department to ensure that when officers fall below those standards, appropriate action is taken in accordance with the law and the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020.

"The most serious offences will see officers face misconduct hearings in front of a panel with an independent legally qualified chair (LQC).

"We strive to be open and accountable, and these proceedings will be held in public wherever possible, subject to the directions of the LQC, and publicised in accordance with legislative requirements.

"Should the panel find that an officer's behaviour has amounted to gross misconduct, they will consider the appropriate sanction which could include dismissal from the Force and barring them from future employment within policing.

"Our Counter Corruption Unit will also investigate allegations against officers and consider criminal prosecutions where appropriate.

"While we are committed to taking action against those officers who fall below the standards expected of them, it is important to stress that this behaviour is not indicative of the majority of our staff and teams who carry out their duties to the highest standard.

"We would always encourage anyone with concerns regarding the actions of any member of Dorset Police to report it to us."