A former police officer who was convicted of three counts of common assault last year has been found guilty of gross misconduct in a hearing yesterday (October 31).

Former Police Constable Russell Beckett, who joined Cleveland Police in 2002 was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct and integrity.

Beckett resigned in August this year following a conviction for three counts of common assault in November 2022 after the offences, of a domestic abuse nature, took place in March. 

The dad, who was 39 at the time, was said to have shown “anger and aggression” during the incident in Middlesbrough where he pushed and shoved two of his victims and assaulted a third.

After originally having denied the offences, he was handed a 12 month community order at Newcastle Magistrates Court and told to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also forced to pay a £95 surcharge and £620 in costs.

He appealed the conviction in June 2023 at Newcastle Crown Court, but the court rejected his appeal.

This led to chair Chief Constable Mark Webster imposing a sanction that he would have been dismissed, had he still been serving.

Detective Chief Inspector John Bonner, Head of Cleveland Police’s counter corruption and vetting unit said: “Cleveland Police has a robust approach towards police officers or staff members accused of perpetrating any form of domestic abuse.

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“In this case, Beckett had been convicted of three counts of assault, which made it explicitly clear he could no longer continue serving as a police officer.

“Our approach to police officers and staff who perpetrate domestic abuse are such that even in cases where a criminal prosecution is not secured, we will still pursue a conduct investigation.

“The Directorate of Standards and Ethics will continue to strive to protect the public, uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour and firmly deter misconduct.”