Insp Neil Munro had served with Dorset Police for 20 years

Police said the body of Insp Neil Munro, 43, was found along Panorama Road, nicknamed "Millionaire's Row", in Sandbanks, at about 0830 GMT.

A gardener is reported to have found the body under a jetty belonging to a multi-million pound seafront mansion.

Brittany Ferries confirmed a foot passenger of the same name had boarded one of their ferries on Wednesday.

The whole of the force has been deeply shocked by today's news

Chief Constable Martin Baker

Dorset Police

It is understood officers were alerted by the owners of the house, which was then sealed off.

Police have not confirmed whether the death is suspicious.

Insp Munro, who was married with a young son, was found fully-clothed.

His death is being treated as "unexplained" and a post-mortem examination was being carried out.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "At this stage, the circumstances of Inspector Munro's death, understood to have taken place while he was off duty, are unexplained and an investigation is under way."

Stephen Tuckwell, a spokesman for Brittany Ferries, said a foot passenger of the same name boarded the 2345 GMT Barfleur ferry sailing from Poole to Cherbourg on Wednesday.

Dorset police had contacted them asking to conduct an examination of Barfleur when it returns, he said.

Huge impact

He added no one had reported seeing anyone fall off the ferry.

Chief Constable Martin Baker, of Dorset Police, paid tribute to Insp Munro.

"The whole of the force has been deeply shocked by today's news and our thoughts are very much with Neil's family at this time," he said.

"Neil had served with Dorset Police for 20 years. He had a huge impact on policing here in Bournemouth and across the force.

"He had been section inspector in charge of north Bournemouth for the past two-and-a-half years and previously worked at Poole, Ferndown, Gravel Hill and in the air support unit at Dorset Police headquarters in Winfrith."