Former Dorset superintendent is found guilty of gross misconduct
Dorset superintendent is found guilty of gross misconduct for using hire cars against force rules and filing exaggerated expenses claims – but retired before having to face the disciplinary hearing
- Former Dorset Police superintendent Michael Rogers guilty of gross misconduct
- Panel heard that Rogers allegedly declared fewer private miles than he’d used
- He also allegedly submitted expenses claims for costs that he hadn’t incurred
- He was told he would have been dismissed had he not already retired
A police superintendent who fiddled his expenses and used hire cars when he was not allowed to, was today convicted of gross misconduct and told he would have been sacked had he not already taken retirement from Dorset Police.
Michael Rogers was found guilty by a disciplinary panel which heard how he made inappropriate use of hire cars and made bogus expenses claims while serving with the force.
He appeared at the misconduct hearing at Dorset Police Headquarters in Winfrith over allegations he had breached the force’s standards of professional behaviour relating to honesty and integrity.
A Dorset Police spokesman said tonight: ‘It was found that between July 2015 and March 2019 Mr Rogers had used hire or pool vehicles for work and for private journeys when he knew that he should not do so and knowingly declared less private mileage than he had travelled and submitted claims for expenses that he had not incurred.
Michael Rogers was found guilty by a disciplinary panel at Dorset Police Headquarters in Winfrith (pictured) which heard how he made inappropriate use of hire cars and made bogus expenses claims while serving with the force
‘The panel was told that between July 2015 and October 2016 Mr Rogers was claiming for essential vehicle user allowance, which compensated him for using his personal vehicle while carrying out his duties. However, he was still regularly using pool or hire vehicles at the Force’s expense. He was also using these vehicles for private journeys.
‘From November 2016 Mr Rogers took possession of a force vehicle, which he was free to use as he wished but was required to declare his personal mileage.
‘It was alleged that Mr Rogers had substantially under-declared how much private mileage he had undertaken between November 2016 to March 2019. He faced further allegations in relation to making additional claims for expenses, such as meals where he claimed for more than he spent.
‘The hearing panel determined that Mr Rogers had breached the standards of professional behaviour and was guilty of gross misconduct. It was determined that, had he still been employed by Dorset Police, he would have been dismissed.’
Following the hearing, Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya, Dorset Police’s lead for professional standards, said: ‘We expect the highest standards of professionalism and integrity at all times from our officers, particularly those in senior positions.
‘It is hugely disappointing that a former superintendent has been found guilty of gross misconduct. Dorset Police expects everyone in the service to operate with honesty and integrity in everything they do.
A Dorset Police spokesman said tonight: ‘It was determined that, had he still been employed by Dorset Police, he would have been dismissed’ (stock image)
‘The former superintendent was in a position of authority where they should have acted as a role model to others and led professional standards across their teams and the wider organisation.
‘In this case their dishonest behaviour has been proven to have fallen short of our expectations. Had the individual not already left the organisation, the outcome of the hearing would have led to dismissal.
‘I would like to assure the public that we respond decisively to allegations against officers and staff of all levels and ranks and we will hold them to account when they fail to adhere to the high standards the Force, our public and communities expect of them.
‘If you have any concerns in respect of any member of the organisation, we encourage you to report them to Dorset Police so they can be thoroughly investigated.’
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