Officer sacked after kissing woman in his police car
A Wiltshire Police officer has been sacked after kissing a woman in his police car while on duty.
A misconduct hearing heard two allegations of gross misconduct against PC Andrew Ross, both relating to the misuse of a police vehicle while he was on duty.
These were incidents in June and August last year, where the former officer picked up the same woman, who he had originally contacted through a website.
He was in a marked police car and then drove to an isolated location where they chatted, kissed and hugged.
PC Ross admitted both allegations at the hearing, held at Wiltshire Police HQ in Devizes.
Following the hearing Supt Steve Cox, Head of Professional Standards, said: “I believe the majority of police officers, staff and volunteers have the best intentions at heart in both their professional and personal lives – delivering the best they can day in day out.
“The public rightly expect all police officers and staff to operate to the highest standards of professional conduct – equally, our training and culture also demands this to be the case and I fully understand that any slight deterioration in such standards can have a detrimental impact on the highest levels of trust and confidence which we enjoy with our local communities and the wider national public.
“Whilst today is a disappointing one, I hope the outcome of this hearing provides confidence to the public that when a breach of our standards are appropriately identified or raised directly with us we will be robust but fair in how we consider and deal with any complaint.
“The Code of Ethics that all officers and staff work within, clearly sets out the behaviour that is expected by all of us whether on or off duty.”
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