Former Inspector Carl Mee Found Guilty of Gross Misconduct Following Domestic Violence Order
"While the hearing took place in July 2025, the matter can only now be reported after the court lifted restrictions that had previously prohibited the publication of the officer’s identity and the details of ongoing proceedings."
A former high-ranking officer with Leicestershire Police, Inspector Carl Mee, has been found guilty of gross misconduct following an accelerated hearing chaired by Chief Constable Steven Cooper. The ruling concluded that the former inspector’s conduct was so severe that he would have been dismissed without notice had he not already retired from the force.
The proceedings, held on July 3, 2025, centered on a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) issued against Mee by the Leicester Magistrates’ Court. The court had previously found, on the balance of probabilities, that Mee had been violent or threatened violence toward an individual and that the order was a necessary measure to ensure their protection. While Mee did not attend the misconduct hearing, his representative argued that the order was a "procedural workaround" and contested the underlying allegations of violence.
In his determination, Chief Constable Cooper made it clear that the hearing was not intended to re-litigate the criminal facts but to assess the impact of such a court order on the reputation of the police service. He ruled that the mere existence of a DVPO against a serving officer constitutes "Discreditable Conduct." The Chief Constable noted that the public expects officers to uphold the law and protect the vulnerable; being the subject of a court order specifically designed to prevent domestic abuse fundamentally undermines that trust.
The assessment of the case categorized the harm to public confidence as "high." Chief Constable Cooper emphasised that violence against women and girls is a matter of significant national concern and that the police must be beyond reproach in this area. As an Inspector, Mee held a leadership position that required him to serve as a role model, an aggravating factor that weighed heavily in the final decision. Mee’s defense, which characterized the court's decision as a "policing failure," was seen as a failure to recognize the significance of the court’s findings, further increasing his culpability.
Ultimately, the Chief Constable determined that no sanction other than dismissal would suffice to maintain public confidence. Because Mee had already retired in June 2025, the formal outcome was a declaration that he would have been dismissed had he remained in service. Consequently, his name will be added to the Police Barred List, ensuring he can never hold a position in law enforcement again.
"This is a very serious matter," Chief Constable Cooper stated, reinforcing that such conduct will not be tolerated within Leicestershire Police. The ruling serves as a stark reminder of the high standards of professional behavior expected of those who wear the uniform, regardless of their rank or length of service.
