Police officer sacked for sexual assault

Derbyshire Police HQ in Ripley, Derbyshire. Image by LDRS.

A Derbyshire police officer has been sacked after kissing a colleague twice without consent and sending inappropriate sexual texts to another.

The acting sergeant, who has not been named for medical reasons, kissed a member of staff – named only as PC B – inside a station locker room while off duty and again, on duty, in a police vehicle when parked in a layby on the A38.

It was found the officer also sent an unwanted WhatsApp text to another colleague – named as PC A – stating “send nudes”. After she refused, the officer text back saying “Boo, you w****”.

PC B told a four-day misconduct hearing that she did not want to be kissed on both occasions, but did acknowledge there had been a “flirtatious” relationship between her and the sergeant.

The sergeant claimed both kisses with the officer – who was 15 years his junior – were mutual and consented but the panel “were troubled” by this assertion.

The panel made findings the officer’s behaviour towards PC B amounted to sexual assault on two occasions, while on duty and on police premises.

Its report said: “There is simply no place in the Constabulary for officers who engage in behaviour such as this.”

However, the panel noted that the officer at the “material time was suffering with mental ill health which may have had the effect of affecting his judgement”.

But it was noted that his first report to a doctor was after misconduct papers had been served.

The outcome served was dismissal without notice.

“It was behaviour of the utmost seriousness, that breached the standards of professional behaviour so seriously that no lesser sanction would be appropriate in all the circumstances” – the panel’s report said.

It added: “The panel considered that the public, if in possession of all the facts, would be more than disappointed in the officer’s actions, they would be appalled.

“The harm to the constabulary and to PC B was significant, and there had been no remorse in respect of that behaviour.”

It is not yet clear if the case has led to any arrests or charges.

Following the hearing a Derbyshire police spokesperson said: “The officer was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour due to his conduct towards two female colleagues while on duty.

“The breach of the standards was deemed so serious that he was dismissed without notice.”

The officer’s name will be added to the barred list – preventing him from serving in the police again.

After considering medical evidence, the panel agreed to maintain the officer’s anonymity.