Former Humberside PCSO jailed for misconduct in public office

A former Humberside Police PCSO has today been jailed for two years and 10 months after an investigation carried out by the force and managed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found he had formed inappropriate relationships with women he met through his job.

Simon Smith, 49, pleaded guilty to three counts of misconduct in public office and one of attempting to pervert the course of justice when he appeared at Hull Crown Court last week.

Allegations Smith, who was working as a PCSO at the time, was abusing his position for a sexual purpose were referred to us by the force and the resulting investigation looked at his contact with members of the public while working for Humberside Police.

On conclusion of the investigation, we agreed with the force that there was an indication a criminal offence may have been committed and directed it to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider charges.

Smith, who had been based in Goole, previously admitted the charges and at today’s hearing was sentenced to two years and four months for the misconduct in public office offences and a further six months for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

IOPC Regional Director Miranda Biddle said: “Abuse of position for a sexual purpose is a form of corruption and this kind of behaviour has absolutely no place in policing. The role of a PCSO is to protect the public, not take advantage of them.

“We are incredibly grateful to the brave women who came forward to share their experiences. It is important that people feel empowered to speak up and today’s sentencing shows how seriously these cases are taken, not just by the IOPC but by Humberside Police and the criminal justice system as well.

“Forces have a key role to play in tackling issues like this and I would like to thank the team at Humberside Police for their professionalism in leading this investigation to uncover Simon Smith’s offending. The effort to drive up standards in policing must come from within and this case shows a real determination to root out those whose actions betray the trust the public places in the police.”

Following the investigation, it was also agreed that former PCSO Smith has a case to answer for gross misconduct for alleged breaches of the police standard of professional behaviour in respect of his conduct. It will now be for the force to arrange a hearing.