Former Northamptonshire Police Officer would have been dismissed for Gross Misconduct, hearing finds
The officer committed inappropriate emotional conduct toward a vulnerable female child
A former police officer would have been dismissed without notice for gross misconduct following a disciplinary hearing held by Northamptonshire Police.
The accelerated hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet at Force Headquarters on 30 July, found that former PC 1891 Mitchell Shorley had committed serious breaches of professional standards. Although Shorley resigned from the force two weeks before the hearing and did not attend, the case proceeded in his absence.
The misconduct centred on Shorley’s inappropriate emotional conduct toward a vulnerable female child. The hearing heard that his actions were deliberate, repeated, and included attempts to evade detection by using specific social media applications.
The allegations amounted to breaches of several core standards of professional behaviour, including integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct. After reviewing the evidence, the Chief Constable ruled that the allegations were proven and would have led to dismissal without notice had Shorley remained a serving officer.
The Chief Constable determined that, had Mitchell Shorley still been a serving Police Officer, he would have been dismissed without notice, commenting: “I personally find the behaviour abhorrent, I am appalled. I am confident that no lower sanction would have been appropriate in these circumstances.
"The public need to know that there is no place in the Police Service for people that abuse their position for their own ends or exploit the vulnerable.
"This is a serious case of an officer using his position to attempt to exploit a vulnerable young woman and the conduct is such a gross breach of trust that no alternative outcome would be appropriate, in my view.”
The force’s Professional Standards Department praised the bravery of the young woman who came forward, especially given her own challenging circumstances. Her decision to report Shorley's behaviour played a key role in ensuring the misconduct was exposed and addressed.
“We recognise how difficult it can be for anyone to report such concerns about someone in a position of authority. Her strength plays a crucial role in ensuring that any misconduct is properly investigated,” a spokesperson said.
Northamptonshire Police emphasised its ongoing commitment to public trust and accountability, stating that while most officers uphold the high standards expected of them, the force remains determined to hold those who fall short to account.