BTP officer dismissed

A former British Transport Police officer has been dismissed from the force following a misconduct hearing.

The Police Constable was subject to the hearing at BTP’s Force Headquarters on 28 October - where he was due to answer allegations relating to breaching the standards of professional behaviour, namely discreditable conduct.

The officer resigned from the force on 20 May 2022 and did not attend the hearing.

Following representations made to the independent, Legally Qualified Chair (LQC), the decision was taken by the LQC to hold the hearing in public – but to keep the name of the officer anonymous.

It was heard that between February and May 2022, the officer was made subject of an Interim Sexual Risk Order and then subsequently a full Sexual Risk Order, under section 122A of 2003 Act at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on 20 May 2022.

Sexual Risk Orders are typically made against an individual who has not been convicted or cautioned for an offence but who nevertheless is thought to pose a risk of harm to the public.

The independent panel found that this amounted to gross misconduct and had the officer still been employed, he would have been dismissed with immediate effect.

Detective Superintendent Pete Fulton, Head of BTP’s Professional Standards, said: “Our entire vocation as police officers is to protect the public from harm, so it is deeply troubling for a police officer to be issued such an order by a court.

“Despite the fact he chose to resign and the hearing was held in private, it is absolutely vital we still report on these matters in the interests of transparency, and to reassure the public we have acted swiftly and decisively to dismiss him.

“I fully support the decision of the panel.”