Police Officer Handling Domestic Violence Cases Convicted for Public Order Offense

Detective Inspector Mark Portelli of Dorset Police was fined after a drunken verbal outburst during a night out, with misconduct proceedings pending.

Detective Inspector Mark Portelli, a senior officer in Dorset Police's high harm unit, was convicted of using abusive language likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.
The incident occurred outside a Bournemouth nightclub on March 31, 2024, following a night of heavy drinking that began with a bottomless brunch.
Portelli claimed his outburst, which included profanities, was directed at himself and not his partner, but the court rejected this argument.
He was fined £500, ordered to pay £620 in prosecution costs, and a £200 victim surcharge, with three assault charges withdrawn due to lack of evidence.
Dorset Police confirmed that Portelli, who was suspended following the incident, will now face internal misconduct proceedings.