TWO Wiltshire Police officers have been dismissed by the force's new Chief Constable, Catherine Roper. 

In an open letter to Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson, freshly appointed police head Catherine Roper confirmed she'd made the move as part of efforts to improve its handling of violence towards women and girls (VAWG) 

She told him: "I have also dispensed with the services of two police officers over recent weeks, as their behaviours and values fell far below that which I consider being acceptable."

This follows the release of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Violence Against Women and Girls report which revealed that there were five allegations of officers committing violence against women in the county between October 1 and March 31, 2022. 

She described the report "as a difficult read, but essential," adding "I will not tolerate any member of Wiltshire Police who behaves in a manner which is anything other than courteous and professional, be that on or off-duty."

There have been two misconduct hearings in the last half a year, involving three officers. 

On March 9, a hearing found that police officer Christopher Grant, would have been dismissed after starting an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable woman, if he was still serving. 

Grant, who resigned from his role earlier this year after being suspended, started a sexual and improper emotional relationship with the woman which was regarded as an abuse of position for a sexual purpose.

And on December 14, last year, another misconduct hearing ruled that two Wiltshire Police Special Constables, Sonny Webb and Tyrone Duncan, would also have been dismissed without notice had they not already resigned. 

The hearing ruled that they failed to act diligently and appropriately in dealing with a man who had been assaulted and injured, and with the suspects of the serious assault, resulting in a delay to the police investigation that impaired it.

All three men are now on the national barred list which will ensure they are not able to work in policing in the future.

Ms Roper's letter also mentioned the protest outside the Devizes headquarters sparked by the appointment of an officer who appeared to be pro-fox-hunting, the second arrest and charge of a murder suspect in the Owen Dunn stabbing case, and the charging of three people stealing from vulnerable people with distraction burglaries. 

She has also met with His Majesty's Inspector Wendy Williams and her team to discuss Wiltshire Police being placed in special measures and has shared her plan for Wiltshire Police up until 2025. 

The full letter can be seen here.