A CONSTABLE who denied sending derogatory messages to a member of the public has been dismissed from the Force.

Special Constable Scott Taylor-Dawley, who was based in Berkshire, was dismissed without notice on Tuesday (August 15) following a two-day misconduct hearing in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.

He breached standards by sending the messages to a member of the public and denied doing so when he was questioned in interview.

He was also found to disclose secrets and the panel believed both actions amounted to gross misconduct.

Deputy Chief Constable John Campbell, said: "Although Taylor-Dawley was a Special Constable and therefore a volunteer with the force, he still had the powers of a regular police officer and was held to the same high standards that we expect of those representing Thames Valley Police.

"In this instance, after carefully considering all of the evidence, the independently chaired panel concluded that Special Constable Taylor-Dawley's conduct was in breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour.

"His conduct fell far below the standards we expect and as a result, it would be unacceptable for him to represent the force in any capacity.

"For this reason, he has been dismissed from Thames Valley Police without notice."