Sussex Police officer dismissed after inappropriate behaviour towards female colleagues
The officer was sacked without notice and barred from policing after a misconduct panel found he made inappropriate comments
A Sussex Police officer has been dismissed without notice after a misconduct panel found he behaved inappropriately towards female colleagues, abused his position and dishonestly claimed overtime for a bank holiday shift.
The officer, known only as Officer A after a legally qualified chair granted him anonymity, was the subject of a gross misconduct hearing held between 17 and 19 June 2026.
The panel found that, between July and August 2024, Officer A made inappropriate comments and double entendres towards female colleagues.
It also found that he withdrew a female colleague's driving permit despite there being no policing reason to do so, telling her she would have to use public transport or walk to and from her workplace.
Overtime claim found proven
The hearing also examined an incident on 26 August 2024, when Officer A worked a bank holiday shift that had been rostered while he was in a previous role.
Although his new team did not work bank holidays, the panel found he claimed the overtime payment while doing little or no work.
The allegations were found proven at the misconduct hearing.
The panel concluded that Officer A had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Authority, Respect and Courtesy; Equality and Diversity; Duties and Responsibilities; Discreditable Conduct; and Honesty and Integrity. His actions amounted to gross misconduct and misconduct.
He was dismissed without notice and placed on the College of Policing's Barred List, preventing him from working in policing in the future.
Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme said: "Protecting women and girls is a key focus for Sussex Police, which includes tackling inappropriate behaviour and improving the culture within our own workforce.
"This officer targeted female colleagues, who have a right to feel safe and empowered at work and all other aspects of their lives.
"We also have a duty to use public funding wisely, and the dishonesty shown by working a shift at double pay, despite knowing he should not have, adds to a catalogue of behaviours that have no place in policing."