A POLICE constable has been dismissed without notice for defacing a cell door with offensive comments about a colleague.

Essex Police said a misconduct hearing chaired by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington on 28 July found that ex-PC Daniel Palmer had committed gross misconduct.

CC Harrington said: "This behaviour is plainly unacceptable. 

"Ex-PC Palmer has done a disservice to thousands of hard-working officers who uphold the high standardsof anyone representing Essex Police... "

He also said Mr Palmer's actions wasted "precious time and money" that could have been used to prevent and detect crime. 

A statement issued by the force said Palmer was alleged to have breached "standards of authority" and "respect and courtesy".

Palmer was also added to the College of Policing barred list, which means he is prohibited from working in the police again.

The force said the cell door had to be replaced.