A THAMES Valley Police officer has been sacked from the force over the prolonged domestic abuse of their former partner.

The officer, who has not been named by police to avoid identifying the victim, was dismissed on Friday, November 29, following a five day private hearing at the force's headquarters in Kidlington.

It concluded the officer subjected their ex to 'domestic abuse amounting to coercive control over a protracted period of time'.

The officer was accused of breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of 'Discreditable Misconduct'.

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According to the force, the abuse included assaults, threats, humiliation and intimidation 'causing the victim to fear violence and experience serious distress that affected everyday life' , adding it impacted both their mental and physical health.

This behaviour was found to amount to gross misconduct at the hearing, which police said was held in private to protect the victim's anonymity.

The officer was dismissed with immediate effect and their name will be added to the College of Policing's barred list.

Detective Chief Superintendent Colin Paine, Head of Professional Standards Department at Thames Valley Police said: "I'd like to credit the victim for the courage shown in coming forward and giving evidence in this case.

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"Everyone working for Thames Valley Police knows the standards of professional behaviour that apply to officers and staff at all times; whether on or off duty.

"Incidents of domestic abuse are not confined to just physical or mental abuse but it is always completely unacceptable and will be robustly investigated."

The hearing was overseen by legally-qualified chairman Harry Ireland.