A Kent Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) has been dismissed without notice after a disciplinary hearing was told he formed inappropriate relationships with vulnerable women he met on duty.

It comes after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

His actions came to light after an internal audit by the force identified a significant volume of communications between the PCSO’s work phone and numbers associated with vulnerable women who were victims of crime.

Evidence gathered by investigators showed he was in touch with the women over several months and some of these communications had occurred when the officer was off duty or on sickness leave.

A disciplinary panel on Monday, March 22, chaired by a senior ranking Kent Police officer, concluded the PCSO breached the standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy and his actions were proven as gross misconduct.

The PCSO will be placed on the barred list preventing him from ever working in another Public Service role.

IOPC Regional Director Graham Beesley 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.

"He breached the high standards of professional behaviour expected of police personnel..."

“Any officer who abuses their position of trust and power by engaging, or attempting to, in inappropriate relationships with vulnerable women can have no place in policing.

“He met the women 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 purposes to us and we continue to help identify this abuse of trust as early as possible.”

The independent investigation began following a referral from Kent Police in March 2019. It concluded in May 2020.

The IOPC considered evidence including mobile phone records, police logs and witness accounts.

Coupled with the PCSO’s response to interview questions, it was decided there was a case to answer for gross misconduct, which was agreed by Kent Police.

Following the enquiry, Kent Police has accepted a number of learnings and recommendations.

They must improve oversight of PCSOs and more effective recording of their work, ensure officers and staff with Body Worn Video cameras are aware of the retention category related to vulnerable people.

Kent Police must now also provide their operational employees with clarity on the different definitions of the term ‘vulnerable’.

Deputy Chief Constable of Kent Police, Tim Smith said: "The vast majority of officers and staff work to a high standard to protect the public from harm. There is no place in Kent Police for anyone who abuses their position for their own personal gain.

"In March 2019, investigators from our Professional Standards Department identified potential serious misconduct by a PCSO from Maidstone and referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. We then supported the IOPC throughout its independent investigation.

"The role of the PCSO is a vital one to policing; bringing neighbourhoods together whilst significantly contributing to a visible community policing presence and we take a great deal of pride in what many of our officers have achieved in the areas they serve.

"It is important that the public have confidence in the police service and we will not hesitate in taking action when an officer abuses the trust placed in them. Such behaviour is not reflective of the many members of staff who carry out their duties with the utmost diligence and professionalism."

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