A FORMER police superintendent has been found guilty of gross misconduct following a public misconduct hearing.

The accelerated hearing was held at Dorset Police headquarters in Winfrith earlier today to consider if former Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell breached the appropriate standards of behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

He was found guilty of gross misconduct and would have been dismissed from the force had he not already resigned. He was also placed on the barred list.

It followed him entering a guilty plea at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday 13 September 2024 to an offence of driving while more than three times the drink drive limit.

He subsequently resigned from Dorset Police following the court hearing, and was previously head of professional standards for the force.

The charge related to an incident on the A352 in Wool at around 4pm on Sunday, August 4. Former Detective Supt Kessell was stopped and breathalysed at the scene.

He gave a breath test and was found to have 115 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Former Detective Supt Kessell is due to be sentenced for the drink drive offence at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 5.

The officer was not on duty at the time of the incident and was suspended from duty pending the outcome of court and misconduct proceedings.

Deputy chief constable Rachel Farrell, of Dorset Police, said: “Whether on or off duty, we always expect our police officers and staff to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

“When an officer or staff member is found to have fallen below these standards, we will ensure swift action is taken and they are held to account for their behaviour.

“We fully recognise the devastating consequences that can arise from people driving while under the influence of alcohol and remain committed to identifying and taking action against anyone who is found to be intoxicated while driving.”