A Bristol police officer convicted of intentional suffocation, controlling and coercive behaviour, and criminal damage faces a misconduct hearing this week. PC Mitchell Curtis carried out the offences while off-duty in South Gloucestershire over an 18-month period.
Jurors at Gloucester Crown Court last month found him guilty of two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, intentional suffocation and criminal damage following a five-week trial. They were told the 34-year-old was physically, emotionally and verbally abusive towards the victim, who reported him in October 2022.
Curtis was arrested the same day and suspended from duty while a criminal investigation was carried out. Avon & Somerset Police professional standards department carried out a parallel inquiry and the officer now faces a misconduct hearing at force headquarters in Portishead on Friday, December 13.
A notice on the constabulary website said Curtis, based in Bristol, was accused of breaching the standards of professional behaviour in terms of honesty and integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; and discreditable conduct. It said: “The alleged facts are: on November 12, 2024, following a trial at Gloucester Crown Court, the officer was convicted of serious criminal offences including controlling and coercive behaviour, intentional suffocation and criminal damage.
“The officer has also admitted to taking an illegal drug while off-duty. It is contended that (if proven) the allegations amount to gross misconduct.”
After his criminal conviction, Curtis was released on bail and is currently awaiting sentence. Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said at the time: “We would like to publicly recognise the courage the victim has shown in this case, firstly in reporting what an appalling ordeal Curtis had subjected her to but also for supporting the prosecution to enable these guilty verdicts to be achieved.
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“His behaviour towards the victim was both abusive and highly manipulative. The seriousness of the offences Curtis committed will leave colleagues within policing shocked and appalled and it is right he has been brought to justice for these horrendous crimes.
“A wealth of evidence was collated during our seven-month investigation, and yet despite that he still refused to admit to what he had done. No police officer is above the law. I hope this outcome reassures any victim of crime that we take these matters incredibly seriously and we will always be perpetrator focused, no matter who the offender is.
“Misconduct proceedings will now be progressed against Curtis, where we will seek to ensure that he is barred from ever working in policing again.”
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