A former Bristol police officer convicted of controlling and coercive behaviour and suffocation of a woman has been barred from policing. PC Mitchell Curtis committed gross misconduct and would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned, a tribunal panel ruled.
Jurors at Gloucester Crown Court found him guilty in November of two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, intentional suffocation and criminal damage. He also admitted taking cocaine and will be sentenced next week for the offences, which 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. An Avon & Somerset police misconduct panel has now ruled he committed gross misconduct.
Barrister Mark Ley-Morgan, representing the force, told the hearing at police headquarters in Portishead on Wednesday, February 19: “The officer’s convictions for serious criminal offences seriously undermines public confidence in the police service and discredits it.
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“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.”
He said the criminal damage conviction related to Curtis damaging the woman’s car. Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said afterwards: “We want to reiterate our recognition of the immense bravery and courage shown by the victim throughout.
“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. 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.”