A POLICEMAN who worked in south Worcestershire has been dismissed from West Mercia Police after being found guilty of gross misconduct.

Police constable Matthew Caesar was dismissed from the force with immediate effect for gross misconduct following a Public Misconduct Hearing that ended today (Monday, July 11).

The officer had engaged in inappropriate contact with three vulnerable female victims of crime, who he had met while on duty.

He was also alleged to have interrogated an electronic police system to search for information relating to a burglary of another woman's property without any

policing purpose to do so.

Detective superintendent Gary Watson, head of Professional Standards for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police said: "The Misconduct Hearing found that the behaviour of Police Constable Matthew Caesar fell below the standards we expect from our officers and staff and amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, namely Honesty and Integrity, Discreditable Conduct, Confidentiality and Authority, Respect and Courtesy.

"This fell outside the expectations made clear in our Code of Ethics and it is for this reason he was dismissed."

PC Caesar had completed seven years service with West Mercia Police, most recently based in South Worcestershire.

The hearing was conducted by Douglas Readings, an independent legally qualified chair and follows a Professional Standards Investigation that was launched following the allegations.

The outcome of the Misconduct Hearing is subject to the normal appeals process.