A Gwent Police officer has been allowed to keep his job despite being found guilty of gross misconduct following a road rage altercation on the M4. PC Dean Harris, 47, was involved in a confrontation with a Mercedes driver at a toll booth on the Prince of Wales Bridge on 9 November 2018.
The incident began when the Mercedes driver, identified only as Mr W, heard a 'bang' and saw PC Harris alongside him. The off-duty officer allegedly grabbed the Mercedes' wing mirror, swore at the driver, and accused him of smashing his own mirror. Witnesses reported PC Harris hanging from his car window shouting and later flashing his lights.
During the misconduct hearing in Cwmbran, South Wales, panel chairman Susan Davies heard that PC Harris was 'incensed' by the alleged collision. Jonathan Waters, representing the force, stated that the officer 'attempted to damage the mirror by hitting it with his open hand and pushing it as far as it could go.' The Mercedes driver also claimed he felt PC Harris 'shunting' his car.
PC Harris, based in Blackwood, near Caerphilly, denied five allegations of breaching standards of professional behaviour. However, the panel found him guilty of gross misconduct. A Gwent Police spokesman confirmed that PC Harris received a final written warning as a result of the hearing.
