Former PC sentenced for abuse victim relationship

A former police officer has been sentenced for misconduct after forming an intimate relationship with a domestic abuse victim.

Former PC James McClements was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He had resigned from Dorset Police in April 2025.

The 35-year-old previously pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell, of Dorset Police, said: "I want to make it extremely clear that the behaviour of this former officer was totally unacceptable and he was not fit to serve in Dorset Police."

The charge relates to an inappropriate sexual relationship that the former officer had with a victim of domestic abuse he met in November 2023 as part of an investigation.

A misconduct hearing held on the 19 May 2026 found McClements had committed gross misconduct and would have been dismissed from the force had he not already resigned.

Farrel said: "For any member of the police service to pursue a sexual or improper relationship with a victim is an abuse of their position.

"McClements gave a domestic abuse victim his personal phone number and pursued a sexual relationship with her.

"Additionally, on one occasion he encouraged her not report to police a breach of contact by the reported domestic abuse perpetrator, which could have put her at greater risk."

She said that he "fell well below the standards expected of a police officer".

"He does not represent the many amazing officers, staff and volunteers who work tirelessly every day to support victims and keep our communities safe," she added.