Key Takeaways:
- A police sergeant, Richard Jones, was sacked after a misconduct hearing found him guilty of gross misconduct for putting his hands around a woman’s throat and making a grossly inappropriate sexual comment.
- The incident occurred on St. Patrick’s Day in Swansea, after a day of drinking with other officers.
- The victim, referred to as Ms A, experienced significant "psychological harm" and took time off work to access counseling.
- The misconduct panel concluded that Jones’ actions were "sexually motivated" and "violent in nature", and that he had abused his position of trust and authority.
- Jones was dismissed from the force without notice and will be added to the policing barred list.
Introduction to the Incident
The incident in question occurred on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2023, in Swansea, where a group of police officers, including Sergeant Richard Jones, had gathered for a day and night out. The group had been drinking throughout the day, consuming alcohol at various locations, including a bottomless brunch at Turtle Bay. It was during this evening that Jones approached a woman, referred to as Ms A, who was a friend of one of the officers, and made a grossly inappropriate sexual comment while placing his hands around her throat.
The Misconduct Hearing
The misconduct hearing was told that Jones had consumed three pints of Guinness earlier in the afternoon, before attending the bottomless brunch, where more alcohol was consumed. The hearing also heard that Jones and Ms A had not met before the day in question, and that during the course of the evening, Ms A had disclosed details of her sex life with her husband to Jones. Later, at The Perch venue in Wind Street, Jones approached Ms A while she was away from the group and made the inappropriate comment, exerting pressure on her throat. The misconduct panel concluded that these actions were "unwanted and uninvited" on the part of Ms A.
The Aftermath of the Incident
Ms A did not initially inform her friend, who was also an officer, about the incident, as she was concerned about the potential problems it could create for her in the workplace. However, she later spoke to her brother-in-law, who is a police officer, about the incident, and he reported the matter. The misconduct panel found the allegations proven and concluded that Jones’ actions amounted to gross misconduct. The panel also identified several features that meant Jones had "high culpability" for his actions, including the significant impact his actions could have on public trust in policing and his abuse of his position of trust and authority.
The Panel’s Findings and Conclusions
The misconduct panel concluded that Jones’ actions were "sexually motivated" and "violent in nature", and that he had abused his position of trust and authority. The panel also found that the level of harm caused by his actions was "high", pointing to the psychological distress experienced by the victim, which resulted in her taking time off work and accessing counseling. The amount of alcohol Jones consumed on the day was found to be an aggravating factor for his behavior. Assessing his actions, the panel concluded that "nothing less than dismissal without notice fitted the seriousness of the incident in question."
The Outcome and Next Steps
As a result of the misconduct hearing, Jones was dismissed from the force without notice. A report will also be made to the College of Policing to add Jones’ name to the policing barred list. This decision reflects the seriousness of the incident and the need to maintain public trust in the police force. The incident highlights the importance of police officers maintaining high standards of behavior, both on and off duty, and the consequences of failing to do so. The victim, Ms A, has been left to deal with the psychological harm caused by Jones’ actions, and it is hoped that the outcome of the hearing will provide her with some sense of justice and closure.