Western Daily Press

Sacked PC ‘violated colleague’s dignity’

- BEN TURNER news@westerndai­lypress.co.uk

APOLICE constable has been sacked for touching a colleague’s penis and shouting “it’s a small one” – before claiming it was “banter”.

PC Adam Reed was dismissed from Wiltshire Police without notice after a five-day misconduct hearing that ended on Friday.

Reed admitted that he pulled down the officer’s trouser zip, inserted his hand to make contact with his penis and shouted “it’s a small one” in front of colleagues at a police station.

Reed argued that it was “banter” and amounted to misconduct rather than gross misconduct, which would see him sacked.

But a misconduct panel ruled that Reed’s behaviour was gross misconduct. He was dismissed without notice and barred from working as a police officer elsewhere in the UK.

The victim – named Officer X in the hearing – said he was left “violated” by Reed, who he had only spoken to occasional­ly and never worked with directly.

Officer X started as a full-time police officer in October 2021 and the incident occurred approximat­ely one month later on November 15.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills, of Wiltshire Police, said: “The actions of former Police Constable Adam Reed were not only wholly inappropri­ate, they violated the dignity of his colleague, and would have caused him significan­t distress.

“His actions amounted to unwanted sexual conduct and the LQC’s decision to dismiss Adam Reed from Wiltshire Police is completely endorsed by the Force.

“He will now be placed on the national barred list which will ensure he is not able to work in policing in the future.

“There is no place in Wiltshire Police for anyone who conducts themselves in this way and, further to becoming aware of this incident, the officer was immediatel­y suspended from the organisati­on.

“The actions of this individual will undoubtedl­y cause public concern and likely undermine the work of the exceptiona­lly committed members of our organisati­on who strive to provide an outstandin­g service to the communitie­s they serve.

“Wiltshire Police remains committed to ensuring each and every officer and staff member discharges their duties to the highest standards and, as this case proves, we will act swiftly and robustly when these are not met.

“Furthermor­e, if any member of the community has concerns relating to the profession­alism of those who serve within our organisati­on, we would encourage them to come forward at the earliest opportunit­y.

“The victim in this case will continue to receive the full support of the organisati­on.”

There is no place in Wiltshire Police for anyone who conducts themselves in this way DEP CHIEF CONSTABLE PAUL MILLS

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