Kent Police Sergeant Dismissed for Harassing Driving School Over Son's Course
A police sergeant with over two decades of service has been dismissed without notice following a misconduct hearing that found he engaged in a prolonged and threatening campaign of harassment against a driving instruction company. The case centred on Sergeant Gabriel Chandler's actions after his son was unable to commence a pre-booked intensive driving course due to unmet requirements.
The Origins of the Dispute
The situation began in June 2021 when PS Chandler, based in Medway and serving with Kent Police since 2002, booked an intensive driving course for his son with the company Intensive UK. The course, costing £1,359, could not proceed as his son either failed the necessary theory test or did not provide timely proof of passing. Despite being informed the deposit was non-refundable, Chandler demanded a full refund. The company offered a partial refund of £1,122, which he refused.
An Extraordinary Campaign of Harassment
What followed was described by the misconduct panel as an extraordinary and sustained campaign of harassment between February and August 2022. PS Chandler repeatedly contacted the company and its director, Mark Elliot, making hundreds of phone calls—sometimes up to fifty in a single day—and sending numerous emails deemed threatening and abusive.
In one message, he warned: 'Keep looking over your shoulder. I know your (sic) anxious but this will all be over soon enough.' In another, he wrote: 'Detective Sergeant Gabriel Candler (sic.) at your service. Please call me anytime. You can look up criminals I've taken over the years on Kent online.'
He falsely accused Intensive UK of being a bogus operation, alleged fraud, and told staff he was 'going to take them down and enjoy it', claiming he was building a case to have its bosses arrested. Further emails stated: 'Your (sic.) facing prison. Hard Time. If you want to do the right thing, call me, and it will go in your favour if you have no previous convictions.'
Chandler also posted multiple negative online reviews described as malicious and persistent, accused the company's bosses of using fake names, and encouraged the public to report the business to the DVSA's counter-fraud team. He even made the baseless claim that the company had links to 'drugs, paedophilia and child sexual exploitation', allegations the panel found particularly serious and concerning.
Attempts to Pre-empt Investigation
When Mr Elliot reported the matter to police as a criminal complaint in August 2022, Chandler attempted to pre-empt the allegations by contacting Kent Police's Professional Standards Department (PSD). He warned them about potential malicious reports from criminals, denied abusing his position, and claimed he had conducted himself properly as a customer with dignity.
Misconduct Hearing Findings
The misconduct hearing, held between 8th and 12th December 2025, concluded that Chandler's behaviour amounted to gross misconduct, warranting dismissal without notice. The panel found no evidence to support his claims that the company was fraudulent and stated that, as a police leader with over twenty years' experience, he should have known his actions were wholly inappropriate.
They noted he had a clear conflict of interest and should have reported the matter fully to his supervisor at Kent Police. The panel described Chandler as an intelligent and successful officer—having achieved the highest mark in Kent on his detective exams and passed his Inspector's exams—which made his conduct even more serious.
The report stated: 'He clearly had a conflict of interest, and he should have reported the matter in full to his supervisor at Kent Police. Chandler did not treat Mark Elliot and the staff at Intensives UK with respect and courtesy, and in so acting and speaking, PS Chandler failed to act with self-control and tolerance.'
It added: 'His words and actions discredited the police force and undermined public confidence. This is particularly so given PS Chandler's reference to himself as a police officer in his course of conduct.'
Chandler's Defence and Panel's Rejection
At the hearing, Chandler argued that he felt he had to be threatening or abusive to be taken seriously, believing the company was operating fraudulently and that he needed to protect the public. The panel rejected this, finding he had lied to PSD about his behaviour and Mr Elliot's actions, and was satisfied he deliberately used his position as a police officer to threaten and intimidate.
They described the misconduct as being of the most serious kind, intended to cause maximum disruption and upset, and ruled that dismissal without notice was the only appropriate outcome.
Kent Police's Response
Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Armory, head of professional standards at Kent Police, said: 'Even when off duty, police officers are still held to the highest standards of professional conduct and, in this case, PC Chandler's behaviour fell far below what is expected of our officers and staff. When officers do not conduct themselves in the manner expected, either on or off duty, it is only right that they are held accountable for their actions.'
He emphasised that the vast majority of Kent Police officers and staff uphold expected standards, often going above and beyond in their duties.
