Policeman subject to misconduct hearing

A POLICE Misconduct Hearing has heard how an officer repeatedly touched a female colleague and regularly made inappropriate sexual comments.
PC Simon England, of Dyfed-Powys Police, faces the hearing this week regarding several allegations regarding his conduct, which would amount to gross misconduct if proven. The hearing runs from April 1 to April 5 at the Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters in Llangunnor, Carmarthen.
The conduct that is subject matter of the case includes: On or around December 2 2017, whilst on duty, PC England made reference to masturbation in front of two colleagues who found the remarks inappropriate and subsequently challenged the remarks made by PC England. On or around December 4 2017, whilst on duty, PC England made derogatory sexual comments about a female member of the public to a colleague. On December 11 2017, PC England made comments of a sexual nature to a female colleague and touched her in an inappropriate manner without her consent. On December 22 2017, at a Christmas party, PC England again touched the same female colleague in an inappropriate manner without her consent. On December 29 2017 and again on February 23 2018, PC England was served with a notice informing him that he would be subject to a misconduct investigation. The notice stated PC England should have no contact with the aforementioned female colleague. On April 26 2018, PC England telephoned the female colleague on her mobile telephone and spoke to her when it was unnecessary for him personally to do so.
In her statement, the female colleague explained that she would not make a criminal complaint as she did not feel she had been a victim of crime, but that PC England’s actions were non-consensual sexual touching of an inappropriate nature nonetheless.
The hearing also heard that PC England had told another colleague that he had a sex addiction, for which he had received counselling and been into rehabilitation. An inspector was then informed of officers’ concerns, as colleagues were keen to safeguard other female officers as well as potentially vulnerable victims PC England may come into contact with.
It was also heard how in 2010, PC England had received management action, after previous unwanted physical and sexual behaviour with a colleague.
PC England, who is now based at the Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters but was previously based in Llanelli, used to work for Thames Valley Police. It is alleged that PC England’s actions breached many standards of professional behaviour, including authority, respect and courtesy, orders and instructions and discreditable conduct.
Mr Elliot Gold, representing the force, told the hearing that PC England would rely upon medical evidence from a doctor to prove that he has Asperger syndrome. But Mr Gold argued that this was disputed by another doctor, saying that PC England has not got Asperger syndrome, or has it to a very mild degree.
If proved, PC England’s conduct singularly or in its totality amounts to gross misconduct. The hearing continues.