The county's police and crime commissioner (PCC) has welcomed a government plan to automatically sack officers guilty of gross misconduct.

Kent PCC Matthew Scott sees the move as a "sensible way forward" to root out rogue elements within forces in England and Wales.

It comes in the wake of public revulsion at scandals engulfing the service, including the murder of Sarah Everard by serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens and the unmasking of former constable David Carrick as a rapist.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who was appointed nearly a year ago, has been urged for chief constables to have more powers in getting rid of bad cops.

Dismissals can often take many months, sometimes years, while officers continue to be paid.

Under the new system, police chief constables or their deputies will chair misconduct panels hearing serious allegations against officers, rather than in front of an independent lawyer.

Mr Scott said: “I am pleased that ministers have listened to PCCs and Chief Constables and proposed a sensible way forward on the dismissal of officers found to have acted in a criminal or corrupt way.

“Chief Constables already have the ability to dismiss police officers in some circumstances. But the public rightly questions why it takes so long and people remain in receipt of a salary when they are not fit to serve.

“This proposal strikes the right balance between speeding up the process, expanding the powers of the Chief Constable and importantly, retaining an independent person to contribute to the process.”

Police personnel who fail 're-vetting' checks can also be dismissed under changes to the Police Regulations.

But the officers' union, the Police Federation, has warned it could herald the return of "kangaroo courts".

Policing minister Chris Philp told the BBC: "They will make sure there is nowhere to hide for officers who don't deserve to wear the uniform."

Met boss Sir Mark has told MPs that lawyer-led disciplinary panels tended to be "more forgiving" than senior police officers.

He said: "I'm grateful to the government for recognising the need for substantial change that will empower chief officers in our fight to uphold the highest standards and restore confidence in policing."

A Home Office study shows that last year, 12 out of 267 gross misconduct cases were not punished by dismissal. More than half resigned or retired before they could be officially dealt with.

Police Federation chairman Steve Hartshorn, said: "A return to kangaroo courts, whereby an officer is already guilty in the eyes of the chief officer before any evidence is heard, and they already know what outcome they want to see, is deeply concerning."

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "For too long, our police chiefs have not had the powers they need to root out those who have no place wearing the uniform.

"The public must have confidence that their officers are the best of the best, like the vast majority of brave men and women wearing the badge, and that's why those who disgrace the uniform must have no place to hide."