South Yorkshire Police worker sacked for misconduct over sexual assaults

A SOUTH Yorkshire Police employee has been sacked after the force upheld accusations he sexually assaulted three women over 18 years.

The police staff member was dismissed without notice after an independent panel ruled that on the evidence presented at the hearing, the allegations made by three women had “more likely than not” taken place.

The ruling was made after a criminal investigation, carried out by another police force, resulted in no criminal charges being brought against the man.

But SYP’s panel decided the conduct amounted to gross misconduct and the only appropriate sanction was dismissal without notice.

An official report about SYP’s internal misconduct hearing last month said: “Allegations were made by three different women over a period of 18 years that a member of police staff sexually assaulted them.

“An independent panel decided that on the evidence presented at the hearing that it is more likely than not that the incidents reported did take place.

“In view of this, the panel decided the conduct amounted to gross misconduct and the only appropriate sanction was dismissal without notice.”

The male member of staff appealed against the ruling and a separate independent panel was convened.

This upheld the original sanction of dismissal without notice.

A police spokeswoman said there was no report available on the hearing because it related to a member of police staff and not an officer.

She added: “In August 2017, South Yorkshire Police was made aware of allegations against a member of police staff relating to sexual offences.

“The offences were alleged to have taken place outside of South Yorkshire Police’s force area and were not connected to his role within the force.

“As soon as SYP was notified, the member of police staff was suspended and a criminal investigation was launched by the relevant police force.

“The investigation did not result in any criminal charges.

“At the conclusion of the criminal investigation, SYP was able to conduct an internal investigation relating to breaches of the police staff standards of professional behaviour.

“This resulted in a misconduct hearing where a panel decided the conduct of the staff member amounted to gross misconduct and they were dismissed without notice.

“Following an appeal, a separate independent panel convened and upheld the original decision of dismissal without notice.”