A serving detective inspector with Dorset Police has been dismissed without notice after a public misconduct hearing concluded on 9 April 2026. The hearing, held at police headquarters in Winfrith, found that 45-year-old Mark Portelli committed gross misconduct while off-duty.
The incident took place at the Canvas nightclub in Poole Hill, Bournemouth, between the evening of 30 March and the early hours of 31 March 2024. During the event, Portelli was found to have abused his position by telling door staff he was a police officer in an attempt to influence how they handled an altercation he was involved in with a woman. He also used his rank to pressure the police officers who arrived to deal with the incident, speaking to them in an arrogant, challenging, and patronising manner.
A misconduct panel determined that Portelli breached standards of professional behaviour regarding authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct, and honesty and integrity. While the officer had previously received a conviction for a public order offence in December 2024, that conviction was overturned on appeal in April 2025. Following the recent hearing, Portelli has been placed on the police barred list, which permanently prevents him from serving as a police officer anywhere in the United Kingdom.
During the hearing, Portelli took full responsibility for his actions, stating he was embarrassed and ashamed of his language and behaviour. Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell noted that the officers who attended the scene acted with courage, integrity, and clear impartiality. She added that officers must adhere to the highest standards of behaviour at all times, whether on or off duty, and that there is no place in the organisation for those who fail to meet those expectations.
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