2 days Ago By [email protected] (Nick Horner)
A Warwickshire Police sergeant has been demoted for unfastening a "junior" colleague's bra strap on a work night out. Jacob Tyler could have been sacked but was instead returned to the rank of constable. He faced a misconduct hearing on Monday, September 9, where he was said to have ‘taken full responsibility for his actions’.
He had been ‘highly regarded’ by fellow officers before the incident. But he was said to have ‘lost the trust of his colleagues’ by his actions - which were described as "misjudged tomfoolery" rather than sexually motivated in a report. They were also said to have had a negative impact on public confidence.
But it was decided he should have the opportunity to ‘earn back the trust’ of his colleagues. READ MORE: World’s largest rodent missing from zoo as public warned ‘don’t approach’ It happened as Tyler was said to have been walking to Birmingham New Street Station after a team night out in the city on August 12, 2022. He admitted gross misconduct in breach of professional standards amounting to ‘discreditable conduct’ and regarding ‘authority, respect and courtesy’.
An accelerated misconduct hearing report said: “Police officers act with self-control and tolerance, treating members of the public and colleagues with respect and courtesy. The conduct breached the standards of professional behaviour and amounts to gross misconduct. “It is particularly important that the AA [Appropriate Authority] and the victim do not say the conduct was sexual.
I find the conduct was misjudged ‘tomfoolery’ during a social event, off-duty. Nevertheless, it is serious, for the reasons the AA have submitted. "The victim’s personal space was invaded and it is particularly unacceptable that this happened to a junior female officer.
The officer’s regulation 54 response to the case also demonstrates mature reflection on why his conduct was completely unacceptable.” READ MORE: Face of killer driver who mowed down teens and left two badly injured The report continued: “Culpability is high because, as the officer recognises, he has no-one to blame bar himself. However, I do believe there was no pre-planning and I accept the conduct was an opportunistic act which was very ill-judged, rather than malicious or sinister conduct.
“Again, the AA and victim agree, it was not sexual misconduct according to the victim: “I’m not saying he did it because he wanted to see my boobs or he did it because it was a sexual thing, he did it ...
if he did it ‘cos he was trying to be an idiot, like he was smashed and he just did it, but it threw me off. “But it has also been accepted by the AA that there was a context of laughter on the evening in question around the conduct, and an apology and forgiveness the next day which lessened any harm. There was also a continued supportive relationship on shift between the parties after the incident for a long period before the matter was raised.
“So, it is my view, that the level of harm in this particular case, which again did not involve any sexual intent or feeling by the victim of sexual intent, is mid-level only.” Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox Dismissal from the police force was considered but the hearing report said: “I do not think dismissal is warranted either. The main reason for this is, as I have emphasised above, the absence of any sexual or sinister intent, and the fact this was a one-off incident of gross misconduct in a social setting off-duty, which the officer apologised for quickly and then made unreserved admissions of wrongdoing.
“Instead I find that reduction in rank is the appropriate and proportionate outcome in this case, from sergeant to constable. The officer has been well-regarded for his public service to date, and operationally he can be reintegrated into the force in the role of constable.” READ MORE: Moments 'festivals of dangerous driving’ organisers' put countless lives at risk Det Supt Paul Thompson, head of the force professional standards department, said: “Even when not on duty officers are expected to uphold our standards of professional behaviour.
The hearing found the officer breached standards of professional behaviour, specifically discreditable conduct. “It was made clear during this hearing that colleagues had regarded the officer highly in the past. In behaving as he did, he demonstrated a failure of leadership.
He has lost the trust of his colleagues and his actions negatively impact public confidence. “Chairing the hearing, Debbie Tedds, Chief Constable, found demotion was appropriate punishment given that the officer took full responsibility for his actions, and she felt he deserved the opportunity to earn back the trust of his colleagues. “As with any case of misconduct we will use this incident as an opportunity to remind other members of our workforce of the standards we expect and the consequences if they don’t live up to these standards.
” Warwickshire Police said the outcome of the hearing was ‘subject to an appeals process’. A spokesperson for the force added: “If you have any reason to believe a member of Warwickshire Police is guilty of misconduct in their position, there are multiple ways in which you can report this: Make a complaint online at warwickshire.police.
uk/fo/feedback/complaints/complaints/ Report a crime online at warwickshire.police.uk/report Contact the CrimeStoppers anonymous anti-corruption and abuse reporting service on 0800 085 0000 or online at reportpoliceabuse.
co.uk/ If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. “.
