A Dorset Police officer who threatened Tesco staff into giving him a manager’s phone number has been dismissed from the force. Special Constable Barrie Leigh-Anderson ignored orders not to act in his capacity as a special constable and showed his warrant wallet without a proper police purpose.
A public misconduct hearing at Dorset Police HQ concluded on Monday, February 3, and found SC Leigh-Anderson culpable of gross misconduct. On Thursday, September 7, 2023, Leigh-Anderson was given a lawful order not to act in his capacity as a special constable.
The panel heard how, on Friday, September 8, 2023, he entered Tesco Express in Kinson, Bournemouth while off-duty and asked to see the manager. He told staff working in the store he was there on police business, which was not true.
SC Leigh-Anderson then showed his warrant card wallet to staff to further enforce that he was there on police business. He demanded the store manager’s telephone number regarding a private matter. Staff said they felt intimidated and threatened, believing they had no choice but to provide the phone number and fearing if they did not comply the could have been arrested.
Following an investigation SC Leigh-Anderson was suspended. He resigned in January 2025.
The panel found that Special Constable Barrie Leigh-Anderson breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, orders and instructions and discreditable conduct. The panel stated that the matter was so serious that the only outcome was dismissal without notice.
Following the outcome of the hearing, SC Leigh-Anderson will be added to the police barred list, which prevents him from holding any further role within policing. Special Constables are unpaid volunteers who work closely with regular officers to help police their communities. They have the same powers and wear the same uniform as a regular police officer.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: “Whether on or off duty our regular officers and special constables are expected to uphold high standards at all times. I was disappointed to learn that despite a very clear order issued by senior officers, Special Constable Leigh-Anderson chose to ignore them and attempted to gain information from members of the public using his warrant card wallet and position of trust.
“His actions on that day and in the subsequent weeks fell below the standards expected of anyone working within Dorset Police and the outcome delivered by the panel reflects the seriousness of this.
“Tackling unethical or unacceptable behaviour remains a Force priority and I would encourage members of the public to report them to us so they can be thoroughly investigated.”