A POLICE officer who feels “totally betrayed” after being cleared of wasting police time is now applying to stand as police commissioner.

Kent Police’s PC Frances Croucher from Maidstone will apply for the new role for Kent and Medway after her resignation from the force takes effect on February 1.

It follows almost two years of legal battle, where she denied enhancing her injuries with make-up after being allegedly assaulted in Crockenhill Road, Swanley, on January 14 2010.

The 29-year-old received bruising to her left eye and a bloodied right- the result, she claims, from being beaten unconscious during a routine vehicle check. Judge Michael Kelly found her not guilty at Medway Magistrates’ Court on October 19 last year.

Mrs Croucher, who is still under internal investigation by Kent police, said: “I saw the role of police commissioner advertised on the internet.

“I loved my job so much, getting involved in the community and speaking to people about policing priorities.

“Being a police commissioner would be like that but on a larger scale, to give the public a voice.”

The mother-of-two says it will also be an opportunity to move forward following a stressful couple of years.

She added: “I feel totally betrayed and let down by the senior management at Kent police.

“I only had my family for support and my defence team, who were superb.

“I was seven weeks pregnant when I was charged.

“It was horrendous- all the extra stress and pressure on top of an already complicated pregnancy.

“It was also just very frustrating- I knew I was innocent and that I hadn’t done anything wrong.”

A Kent police spokeswoman said: "Croucher resigned from Kent police whilst subject to misconduct proceedings and a separate misconduct investigation.

"It would be inappropriate for Kent Police to comment on anyone's plans to stand for political office- that is a matter for the people of Kent at the ballot box and the force does not comment on that democratic process.”