Former Police Officer Convicted of Coercive Behavior and Other Charges

A former police officer has been found guilty of multiple charges, including controlling and coercive behavior, following a five-week trial. Jurors convicted Mitchell Curtis, 34, previously a PC with Avon and Somerset, on two counts of controlling and coercive behavior, as well as intentional suffocation and criminal damage. Following the proceedings at Gloucester Crown Court, Curtis was granted bail and awaits sentencing on a date yet to be determined. Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall commented that Curtis’ conduct towards his victim “was both abusive and highly manipulative”. The incidents took place in South Gloucestershire, occurring when Curtis was not on duty. The jury heard testimony indicating that Curtis had subjected the victim to physical, emotional, and verbal abuse spanning an 18-month duration. The victim reported Curtis to law enforcement in October 2022. He was arrested the same day and suspended pending the outcome of a criminal investigation. Avon and Somerset Police stated that its professional standards department conducted a concurrent investigation into Curtis. The force explained, “Due to the seriousness of his offences, the criminal trial has taken primacy, and misconduct proceedings will now follow”. ACC Hall publicly praised the bravery demonstrated by Curtis’ victim. She stated, “Firstly in reporting what an appalling ordeal Curtis had subjected her to but also for supporting the prosecution to enable these guilty verdicts to be achieved.” ACC Hall added, “The seriousness of the offences Curtis committed will leave colleagues within policing shocked and appalled and it is right he has been brought to justice for these horrendous crimes.” ACC Hall noted that “a wealth of evidence” was gathered during the force’s months-long investigation, despite Curtis having “still refused to admit to what he had done”. She further asserted, “No police officer is above the law.” “I hope this outcome reassures any victim of crime that we take these matters incredibly seriously and we will always be perpetrator focussed, no matter who the offender is,” she concluded. Misconduct proceedings against Curtis are now set to advance, with the aim of ensuring he is permanently prohibited from employment in policing.