Paignton cop had pistol and ammo

Special constable must do unpaid work

A special constable with Devon and Cornwall Police has been handed a 12-month community order sentence with 200 hours unpaid work and must pay court costs.

Anton Calvert, 40, from Paignton, pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm, a pistol, and two counts of possess a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid/gas/electrical incapacitation device.

On 24 April 2022, police officers attended Mr Calvert’s address where a search was conducted including searches of several outbuildings.

During the search, a handgun with ammunition and a hand-held electrical incapacitation device were located. In other searches, his operational police equipment was located which included his personal issue incapacitant spray and extendable baton.

The special constable was off duty when the items were located.

Further searches located live rifle ammunition in a jar and a metal ‘swordstick’ disguised as a walking cane.

Mr Calvert was subsequently arrested for being in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of an offensive weapon in relation to the swordstick.

He further stated that he had never used the handgun for anything other than as a commemorative item and that he had never used or discharged it.

He accepted possession of the police incapacitant spray and baton and that these were for his use whilst on duty with the Special Constabulary of which he had a dedicated locker to store equipment and that he had not used this secure facility.

He was arrested and suspended from duty immediately.

DI Dave Pebworth said: “Calvert’s actions have fallen well below what is expected of a special constable and we welcome the sentence handed to him today.

“As soon as the allegations against him came to light, Calvert was suspended from the force.

“Now that the criminal proceedings have concluded, he will be subject to a misconduct hearing to determine what action will be taken by the force. Action which of course will be published once the process has concluded.”

​Special constables already work voluntarily. Mr Calvert's court order to do unpaid work is not likely to include work as a special constable.