Cleveland Police officer sacked for "sexually touching" woman he arrested (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Cleveland Police officer sacked for "sexually touching" woman he arrested

6:00am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Graeme Hetherington

A POLICE officer from troubled Cleveland Police has been dismissed for sexually touching a woman he arrested for shoplifting.

The 36-year-old was sacked for gross misconduct following an investigation overseen by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which ruled he had abused his position as a police officer, acted without honesty and integrity, and behaved unprofessionally.

The PC admitted giving the woman a cuddle, which was deemed wholly inappropriate by the panel, and he was instantly dismissed last Friday.

He was originally arrested on suspicion of indecent assault, but released without charge following the incident on August 22, last year.

The matter was referred to the IPCC, which managed an investigation run by Cleveland Police’s professional standard’s department.

The investigation found that the officer did not deal with the woman correctly as a detainee and touched her inappropriately.

On his own admission, the officer made contact with the complainant by giving her a cuddle. This act was deemed wholly inappropriate and, in the circumstances was considered an act of gross misconduct, the force said.

As a result, the officer faced a disciplinary hearing and was dismissed without notice.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: “This officer acted in a completely inappropriate way to a woman who was in his custody.

“His behaviour implied he would assist the woman only if she accepted his sexual advances.

Such behaviour is reprehensible and it is correct he has been dismissed.

“The IPCC recently highlighted the issue of officers abusing their power for sexual gratification and, regrettably, this is another example.

Such behaviour appears to be used to target those who are vulnerable and it is a fundamental betrayal of trust.”

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “The 36-year-old officer was arrested on suspicion on indecent assault but released without charge.

“The force’s professional standards department carried out an investigation into the incident, managed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

“An internal disciplinary hearing upheld the allegation of sexual touching, and found the officer had abused his position as a police officer, acted without honesty and integrity and behaved unprofessionally.

“He was immediately dismissed from the force.”