A former Dorset Police officer, who identified himself as a police officer at nightclubs, produced his warrant card and was overbearing and argumentative to door staff while drunk and off duty, has been determined to have committed gross misconduct.
Following a public misconduct hearing at Dorset Police Headquarters in Winfrith, which concluded on Wednesday 3 December 2025, the panel found all allegations proven against former Police Constable 0843 Matthew Campbell. They found he had breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to Integrity, Authority, Respect and Courtesy, and Discreditable Conduct.
The decision was made that he would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned and left the Force on 3 August 2025. He will also be placed on the police barred list.
The breaches related to the actions of former PC 0843 Matthew Campbell, who in January 2024, failed to act with self-control and abused his authority as a constable by producing his warrant card at two venues in Weymouth, attempted to gain access and was overbearing and argumentative to door staff while drunk and off duty.
They also related to a second occasion in October 2024 when, whilst off duty, former PC 0843 Matthew Campbell was asked to leave a venue and was subsequently disrespectful towards members of security. He was also argumentative and disrespectful to security staff at a second nearby venue after he was refused entry.
During the hearing the panel was told that former PC 0843 Matthew Campbell was ashamed and embarrassed by his own behaviour, which he regretted and apologised for. He admitted to breaching the standards of behaviour but argued that it amounted to misconduct and not gross misconduct.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: “Our officers are duty bound to adhere to the highest standards of behaviour and integrity at all times, including when off duty, and the public should quite rightly have confidence that when these standards fall below what is expected, swift and robust action will be taken.
“Unfortunately, former PC 0843 Matthew Campbell failed to meet these high standards on these two dates and it is only right that these matters were heard before an independent panel.
“We are committed to investigating any unethical or unacceptable behaviour relating to a member of our organisation and I would encourage members of the public to report them to the Force so they can be thoroughly investigated.”
There are a number of ways the public can report matters. You can provide information you have about a serving police officer, staff member or volunteer in the UK to the Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service, which is run by the independent charity Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 085 0000 or via the Crimestoppers’ website. If you would prefer to report matters directly to the Force, you can call 101, visit the Force website or email [email protected]. Corruption can also be reported online at www.dorset.police.uk/contact/report-police-corruption/.
