MORE than a dozen police officers have faced dismissal from South Yorkshire Police over the last five years, shock new figures show.

The figure is even higher when you take into account two recent instances – both relating to Barnsley police officers – in the last few months.

Former PC Liam Mills, 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office and a data protection offence at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday, and is set to be sentenced on September 30.

Mills resigned from the force, and an accelerated misconduct hearing went ahead in his absence which found he would have been dismissed.

He will never work in policing again after being placed on a barred list, force bosses confirmed.

It comes just weeks after PC Nabeel Khan, 25, was given a two-year jail term for dealing drugs on Barnsley’s streets after an investigation by South Yorkshire Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Data from the Home Office show 13 officers have been dismissed from the force since April 2017.

The figures refer to officers who were made redundant, have been made to resign, or have had their contracts terminated – including any asked to leave the force due to misconduct.

The National Police Chiefs Council, a staff body for police leaders, said a ‘tiny minority’ of police officers undermine public trust and confidence in policing.

A spokesperson said: “Where officers don’t meet the expected standards of behaviour they will be dealt with directly, and this could result in them losing their jobs or in the most serious cases, a criminal conviction.

“Everyone in policing needs to contribute to an inclusive, professional, and ethical culture.

“As a result of shining a light, more misconduct will be discovered, more officers will be sanctioned, leave the service or even be charged and convicted of crimes.”