Ex-Derbyshire Police officer found guilty of misconduct after rape allegation

A misconduct panel has found allegations of serious sexual misconduct against a former Derbyshire Police officer were proven.

Five days of hearings last month heard how former Inspector Richard Booth abused his position to commit sexual offences.

The first offence place in the late 2000s when he was a sergeant – and saw a consensual sexual act take place between him and a junior member of staff.

A second person reported an oral rapem said to have happened in the early 2010s - both incidents happened while Booth was on duty.

A criminal investigation into the allegation of oral rape in 2023 ended with no further action due to difficulties in evidence in the case.

However it was later deemed Booth should face a gross misconduct hearing, with both complainants granted anonymity to speak.

Booth had already retired from the force while under investigation, though the panel decided he would have been sacked had he still worked for the force.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Shooter, said: “The behaviour of Richard Booth betrayed the oath he made as a police officer.

“He used his position of power – as a sergeant and as an inspector – to target colleagues who were significantly junior to him and carried this out while on duty.

“The evidence put before the hearing, including the first-hand testimony of the two complainants, made it clear that the gross misconduct was found proven.

“Officers who abuse their position of trust, either with members of the public or with colleagues, have no place in policing and we will do all we can to root them out and ensure that there is no safe haven for them.”