Wiltshire police officers accused of sexual misconduct this year

Data obtained in a Freedom of Information request from LegalExpert.co.uk also shows three allegations of sexual assault by a police officer have been made by members of the public. And three police officers have lost their jobs over sexual misconduct allegations. The majority of conduct cases raised by the force related to sexual harassment, which accounted for 50 per cent of allegations between October 2022 to October 2023.

Sexual assault was also investigated by the force and made up 37.5 percent of allegations. Amongst the allegations included sexual assault and an abuse of position for a sexual purpose. The force has dismissed three police officers for sexual misconduct in the same period.

In March, PC Christopher Grant was dismissed. The officer, who had already resigned from the force, had started an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable woman that was regarded as an abuse of position for a sexual purpose. Then, in May, police sergeant John Brixley, who had resigned in November 2022, was found to have made sexualised comments on multiple occasions to a police officer under his supervision.

Had he not resigned he too would have been dismissed. In June, an unnamed Local Crime Investigator faced allegations of acting in an unprofessional and inappropriate manner towards two colleagues which amounted to sexual harassment. Those allegations were upheld and, had the inspector not already resigned, they would have been dismissed.

Head of professional standards at Wiltshire Police, Superintendent Liz Coles said: “We expect the highest standards of professionalism from all of our officers, staff and volunteers. “We robustly and transparently investigate any allegation where a Wiltshire Police employee may have fallen short of these standards. “There is no place in Wiltshire Police for anyone who abuses their position of trust for a sexual purpose.

“We encourage members of our organisation to use an anonymous reporting tool if they have concerns regarding a colleague’s behaviour to help ensure we have a positive, supportive and inclusive culture for the benefit of our colleagues, and ultimately for our communities. “Further, we encourage any member of the community who may have concerns about the conduct or professionalism of any of our officers or staff to contact the Force Professional Standards Department, CrimeStoppers or the Independent Office for Police Conduct. “Notices of Gross misconduct hearings for police officers are publicised on our website and members of the public and media are able to attend these.

“Furthermore, we proactively publicise the outcome of these hearings. “We are committed to continuing to build trust and confidence with the communities we serve.” Catherine Roper took over as Chief Constable for Wiltshire Police in March, and in an open letter to Philip Wilkinson, the Police and Crime Commissioner, she committed to stamping out misconduct.

She said: “You and I will have noted the National Police Chiefs’ Council Violence Against Women and Girls report, which within the data considers police perpetrated violence. This is a difficult read, but essential. “I will not tolerate any member of Wiltshire Police who behaves in a manner which is anything other than courteous and professional, on or off-duty.

“This will be reinforced by the prominence of our response to VAWG-related crimes and concerns within the new performance framework.

“I have also dispensed with the services of two officers, as their behaviours and values fell far below that which I consider to be acceptable.”