A former Chippenham police constable who stalked his ex-girlfriend has been banned from policing following his convictions.
Andrew Edwards, who admitted stalking and misconduct in public office, had an accelerated gross misconduct hearing at the Military Courts in Bulford on 3 December.
The panel, led by Director of People Iain Gibson, heard that he repeatedly accessed confidential police databases to research his former partner and her friends.
He was also found to have visited her home numerous times under false pretences and requested that colleagues look at her social media accounts because he had been blocked.
The hearing also considered claims that Edwards breached bail conditions imposed after his arrest, which banned him from contacting his ex-partner.
It concluded that his behaviour breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, confidentiality, and discreditable conduct.
Edwards, who lives in Chippenham and worked on the Chippenham response team, had been suspended when the allegations emerged. He resigned while the criminal investigation was ongoing.
The panel confirmed he would have been dismissed without notice had he not left. He will now be added to the national barred list, preventing him from working in policing again.
Iain Gibson, Director of People, said: “Andrew Edwards repeatedly abused his power as a police officer by using confidential systems to look up his ex-partner and her associates.
“Not only that but he visited her home on more than 30 occasions, both while on duty and off duty, and continued to do so even after being arrested.
“There can be absolutely no justification for this. It is a complete breach of the trust and confidence placed in us by the public, and his behaviour falls far below the high standards we demand from our officers and staff.
“Stalking is a very serious offence with a potentially lasting impact on the victim’s physical and mental health.
“I hope today’s decision and the criminal proceedings previously concluded show how seriously we treat crimes like this, no matter who the offender is.
“Former PC Edwards’ actions came to light thanks to the officers who worked with him, and I’d again like to acknowledge them for recognising the severity of what he was doing and raising their concerns.
“This cannot have been easy but it was completely the right thing to do.”
