Former head of standards at Devon and Cornwall Police guilty of drink driving

A former policeman who pleaded guilty to drink-driving at more than three times the legal limit has been found guilty of gross misconduct. Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police and formerly of Devon and Cornwall Police admitted driving over the limit at Southampton Magistrates' Court on September 13.

The 45-year-old Detective Superintendent Kessell resigned from Dorset Police following his court hearing and police chiefs ruled at a misconduct hearing on Wednesday, October 23, he would have been sacked if he had not already left. Kessell, formerly head of professional standards for Devon and Cornwall Police, has now also been barred from working in policing.

The defendant admitted drink-driving in his Peugeot car on the A352 at Wool, near Wareham, in Dorset, on August 4. Southampton Magistrates' Court heard he was stopped and gave a breath test of 115 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than three times the legal limit of 35mcg.

Kessell, who was also previously head of professional standards at Devon and Cornwall Police, was not on duty at the time of the offence, and was suspended from work until the outcome of court and misconduct proceedings, the force said. He will be sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on November 5.

Dorset Police’s deputy chief constable Rachel Farrell said: “Whether on or off duty, we always expect our police officers and staff to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

“When an officer or staff member is found to have fallen below these standards, we will ensure swift action is taken and they are held to account for their behaviour.

“We fully recognise the devastating consequences that can arise from people driving while under the influence of alcohol and remain committed to identifying and taking action against anyone who is found to be intoxicated while driving.”