Police officer demoted for dental appointment lie

A police officer who lied to his supervisor about taking time off for a dentist appointment and emailed sensitive information to his personal email has been demoted.

Following a hearing at Dorset Police headquarters in Winfrith on Tuesday, Det Seg William Pearce was found to have committed gross misconduct.

The force said Pearce had been described as "an exceptionally dedicated and committed officer" in a "unique and specialist investigative role".

Hearing chair Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said Pearce, who had continued to perform within the role, was "respected and trusted" and demotion had been "the most suitable outcome".

The hearing heard he had emailed "a highly sensitive and confidential document to his personal email address".

The force said that "whilst this was for a policing purpose, it was wholly inappropriate".

He also lied to his supervisor by taking time off for a dentist appointment he never attended in April 2025.

Another allegation related to him "repeatedly taking unauthorised absences from work, commuting during working hours and completing the school run when not authorised to do so".

The force said the absences "were not accurately recorded on his working time between 21 March and 21 October 2025".

An allegation that was not found proven related to Pearce accessing case files in relation to an investigation and completing unauthorised computer checks to assist another colleague with her role.

Pearce, who has 18 years of experience as an officer, said he admitted all the allegations but did not accept they amounted to gross misconduct.

The police said mitigation had been put forward on behalf of the officer, who told the hearing he took pride in his work and that he "did not realise at the time how much he had blurred the lines between home and work life".

He said he had also developed a bad habit of keeping a poor record of the hours he worked.

Multiple character statements from colleagues and a criminal barrister were provided, stating Pearce had always gone "beyond the call of duty".

ACC Callaghan said the organisation had let him down in the role he was working within and that organisational lessons would need to be learned.

He added that while none of the breaches were an indication of operational dishonesty or corruption, as a supervisor he held a position of responsibility and "should have known better".

Deputy Chief Constable Steve Lyne said they "welcome and accept the lesser outcome given by the chair".