Dorset Officer Alex Ayre Died Under Misconduct Probe
PC Alex Ayre, 24, was suspended from duty pending a gross misconduct investigation before his death near Branksome.
A police officer who died after being struck by a train was suspended from duty while facing a gross misconduct investigation. PC Alex Ayre, 24, of Dorset Police, was understood to have been hit by a train near Branksome last Friday morning. The incident caused several hours of disruption to train services between Poole and Bournemouth, and also affected services between London Waterloo and Weymouth.
Misconduct Investigation Details
PC Ayre was being investigated for gross misconduct concerning his behaviour while off-duty. He had been suspended from duty prior to his death. Chief constable Rachel Farrell of Dorset Police stated that suspension does not presume wrongdoing and that the investigation was in its very early stages. As is standard procedure in such circumstances, a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), and the force welcomes any transparent review.
PC Ayre joined Dorset Police in June 2022. His family described him as a "much-loved son, grandson, big brother, little brother, nephew, cousin, best friend and such an important person to so many people." They added that he was "always there for people, always happy to help, always thinking about how other people were feeling, and always someone people knew they could turn to when they needed you."
Questions this report answers
01What happened to PC Alex Ayre?
PC Alex Ayre, 24, died after being struck by a train near Branksome. He was suspended from duty pending a gross misconduct investigation into his off-duty behaviour.
02Was PC Ayre under investigation?
Yes, PC Ayre was the subject of a gross misconduct investigation concerning his behaviour while off-duty. The investigation was in its early stages when he died.
03Did the incident affect train services?
Yes, the incident caused several hours of disruption to train services between Poole and Bournemouth, and also affected services travelling between London Waterloo and Weymouth.
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