Three officers sacked by West Mercia Police over last year

New figures show three constables working for the force, which covers Shropshire, Hereford and Worcester, have been dismissed in the past 12 months.

One constable was dismissed for discreditable conduct, another was fired for six counts of neglect or failure of duty and a third was removed from their post on three counts of discreditable conduct and one issue of confidentiality.

It comes as it was revealed earlier this week that a police officer was sacked for wearing medals he was not entitled to at a funeral and failing to report an "unmanageable debt".

Constable Richard Allen, who was a serving officer with West Mercia Police, was dismissed from the force with immediate effect for gross misconduct following a public hearing this week.

He had served with the force for 11 years across the region, most recently being based in Kidderminster.

Detective Superintendent Gary Watson, head of professional standards for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, said: "The misconduct hearing found that the behaviour of Constable Richard Allen fell below the standards we expect from our officers and staff and amounted to gross misconduct. It is for this reason he was dismissed."

In 2015, one constable and one sergeant were also dismissed. That year, there was news of the sacking of Constable Clare Stretton who was removed from her post with West Mercia Police following complaints from the three daughters of Charles Foulkes who said she had started an inappropriate relationship with their father.

The retired painter and decorator met Miss Stretton when she was assigned as his family's police liaison officer after his son Colin, aged 49, was killed by schizophrenic lodger John Latus, then 31, in 2001.

Constable Stretton, who was based at Malinsgate Police Station, was dismissed for gross misconduct after a two-day hearing at West Mercia Police's headquarters at Hindlip, near Worcester.

Three charges against her on breaching standards of professional behaviour on honesty and integrity – including taking £15,000 from Mr Foulkes – were found proved.

Head of professional standards, Detective Superintendent Gary Watson, said: "The vast majority of our officers take pride in our professionalism and standards of behaviour, whilst upholding our Code of Ethics, often in stressful and difficult situations.

"While a stringent vetting process is in place for everyone, there is an inevitably that with such a large workforce, dismissals such as these will occur."