A POLICE officer who admitted harassment and data protection offences has been dismissed from Dorset Police.

Police Constable Allan Smith was dismissed without notice after being found guilty of gross misconduct at a disciplinary hearing at the force headquarters in Winfrith today.

The Special Case Hearing was told PC Smith appeared at Dorchester Crown Court on June 1 and pleaded guilty to one count of harassment and two offences relating to breaches of the Data Protection Act. He is due to be sentenced on Friday, July 10.

“The public quite rightly expect that officers behave with integrity and within the law," said Chief Constable Debbie Simpson.

“I believe it is untenable that an officer who has been found guilty of three offences can still hold a position within the police service and secondly I believe I would be supported in that assertion by members of the public."

PC Smith, who did not attend the hearing, accepted that his actions during 2013-14 amounted to discreditable conduct. In a statement read to the hearing he said the "errors of judgement" were borne of "difficulties" in his work and personal life.