Surrey Police Community Support Officer has been dismissed without notice for abusing his position

A Surrey Police Community Support Officer has been dismissed without notice following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into allegations he abused his position for sexual purpose.

A misconduct hearing, arranged by the force, found his actions constituted gross misconduct for engaging in sexual activity on duty with a woman who he met through his work. The independent panel concluded it was proven the PCSO breached the standards of professional behaviour for honesty and integrity, authority respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct and duties and responsibilities.

Our investigation found the PCSO, who worked as part of a Safer Neighbourhood Team, contacted the woman to meet and engage in sexual activity between June and August 2019.

The officer’s conduct came to light following a referral from Surrey Police in August 2019. We began an independent investigation and our investigators arrested him on Wednesday 22 August 2019. We did not refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Our investigation, which concluded in February 2020, looked at mobile phone records, GPS data, police logs, witness accounts and coupled with the officer’s response found there was a case to answer for gross misconduct, which was agreed by Surrey Police.

IOPC Regional Director Sarah Green said:

“A Police Community Support Officer role is, arguably, one of the most public facing roles within any police service often vital to building and maintaining confidence in policing among those in the area they serve.

“Any officer who abuses their position of trust and power by engaging in sexual relationships while on duty can have no place in policing. The PCSO was aware of this as outlined in one of the many text messages he exchanged with the woman.

“He met the woman when he was on patrol. He breached the high standards of professional behaviour expected of police personnel and has rightly been dismissed without notice.

“We are working hard to ensure police forces refer all allegations of abuse of position for sexual purpose to us, and we will continue to provide guidance and knowledge to help identify this abuse of trust as early as possible.”

The hearing was held on Wednesday, 20 May. The PCSO will be placed on the police barred list.