Volunteer officer 'threatened' supermarket workers

15 hours ago

Mr Leigh-Anderson - not pictured - was told not to act as a special constable but did so the next day

Getty Images/Lawrey A close-up of 'POLICE' marking written on the back of a hi-visibility stab proof vest worn by a trio of police officers at the scene of an incident. — Mr Leigh-Anderson - not pictured - was told not to act as a special constable but did so the next day

A volunteer police officer who "threatened" supermarket workers despite him being ordered not to act as one would have been sacked had he not quit.

Barrie Leigh-Anderson was told by senior Dorset Police officers not to act as a special constable on 7 September 2023 but the next day did so.

He entered a Tesco Express in Kinson, Bournemouth, said he was there on police business, which he knew was untrue, and demanded the store manager's phone number.

Dorset Police's deputy chief constable Rachel Farrell said "tackling unethical or unacceptable behaviour", like that displayed by Mr Leigh-Anderson, remains a priority for the force.

Supermarket staff said they felt "intimidated and threatened" by Mr Leigh-Anderson to the point that they had no choice but to give the manager's phone number.

The force said the workers feared being arrested if they did not comply.

Following an investigation, Mr Leigh-Anderson was suspended and he quit the force in January.

Dorset Police held a hearing on Monday, which concluded he committed gross misconduct and would have been dismissed.

Special constables are unpaid but work closely with regular officers. They wear the same uniform and have the same powers as regular officers.

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