Gross misconduct has been found proven against ex-police constable Robert Hopper.

PC Robert Hopper, 42, had been accused of having inappropriate contact with a woman he met through his duties.

Between September 2021 and January of this year, he sent a series of emails to the woman, who was a victim of domestic abuse, from his work account. The emails were described as “improper and flirtatious in nature”.

He also communicated with the woman via WhatsApp on his personal phone. He met her once at her home address without a policing purpose.

An IOPC investigation began in January and the officer resigned in May. He had admitted forming the unprofessional relationship during a voluntary interview in January, and further admitted knowingly sending two emails containing material relating to policing matters to someone outside of the organisation.

A disciplinary hearing has now determined that the former officer did breach the standards of professional behaviour and that he would have been dismissed.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: “Former PC Hopper abused his position of trust to form an inappropriate and unprofessional relationship with a victim of domestic abuse whom he had met through this duty as a police officer. This is unacceptable and goes against the oath of a police officer to protect and serve the public and the Code of Ethics, which every member of the service should abide by."

IOPC regional director David Ford said: “Cases such as these have the real potential to impact on public confidence in the police. At the outset of their service, it is made clear to officers that it is unacceptable to have or seek inappropriate and unprofessional contact with members of the public who they deal with through their professional duties.

“PC Hopper’s improper conduct is exacerbated by the fact that he was the allocated officer in charge of the woman’s domestic abuse case. Following a gross misconduct hearing it has been determined that he would have been dismissed had he still been serving. This sends a clear message that behaviour of this kind has no part in policing and will not be tolerated.”