A Devon and Cornwall Police special constable was handed a 12 month community order with 200 hours unpaid work and legal costs today, Friday September 2.
Anton Calvert, 40, from Paignton, pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm (pistol) and two counts of possession of a weapon for the discharge of a harmful incapacitating device based on of liquid/gas/electric.
On April 24, 2022, officers attended the Calvert address where a search was conducted, including searches of several outbuildings.
During the search, a handgun with ammunition and a portable electrical incapacitating device were found. During further searches, his operational police equipment was located, including his personal incapacitating spray and extendable baton.
Calvert was off duty when these objects were located.
Further searches of his address uncovered a quantity of live rifle ammunition in a jar and a metal “sword stick” disguised as a cane.
Calvert was later arrested for possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and possession of an offensive weapon in connection with the sword stick.
He further stated that he never used the handgun for any purpose other than as a memorabilia and that he never used or discharged it.
He accepted possession of the police incapacitating spray and baton and that these were for his use during his service with the Special Constabulary of which he had a dedicated locker to store the equipment and which he had not used this secure facility.
Calvert was arrested and suspended from duty immediately.
DI Dave Pebworth said: ‘Calvert’s actions fall well short of what is expected of a special constable and we welcome the sentence imposed on him today.
“As soon as the allegations against him came to light, Calvert was suspended from the force.
“Now that the criminal proceedings are complete, he will be subject to a misconduct hearing to determine what action will be taken by force. Action which of course will be published once the process is completed.
Comments are closed.