Police sergeant who 'subjected junior female colleagues to inappropriate sexual behaviour' is found guilty of gross misconduct in disciplinary hearing
- Former police sergeant has been found guilty of gross misconduct in hearing
- Glenn Atkinson retired from Wiltshire Police before they had chance to fire him
- Mr Atkinson has been 'nationally barred' and cannot work in policing ever again
A police sergeant who 'subjected junior female colleagues to inappropriate sexual behaviour' is found guilty of gross misconduct is disciplinary hearing.
Detective Sergeant Glenn Atkinson, a retired detective at Wiltshire Police, has been found guilty of six counts of gross misconduct against a former colleague in a disciplinary hearing.
The hearing, which took place on November 4, was chaired by an independent Legally Qualified Chair and found he subjected young female colleagues to 'inappropriate sexual behaviour and comments whilst on duty'.
Mr Atkinson declined to attend the hearing and quit Wiltshire police force, using rights afforded to him by police regulations, before his case ended.
A police sergeant who 'subjected junior female colleagues to inappropriate sexual behaviour' is found guilty of gross misconduct is disciplinary hearing
Had he still been in the force when the verdict came in, he would have been instantly dismissed by his superiors and lost his pension rights.
He has been banned from working in the police ever again.
Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills said: 'As both a police officer and supervisor, Det Sgt Atkinson betrayed the trust invested in him and subjected junior female colleagues to inappropriate sexual behaviour and comments while on duty.
'I want to thank the women, who were subjected to the wholly unacceptable actions of this former officer, for their professionalism and moral courage in reporting these matters so the appropriate action could be taken.
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'His actions will significantly and understandably impact the confidence and trust of the public in policing.
'Furthermore, his actions undermine the commitment and professionalism of those within our organisation who strive to deliver the very best service to the public each and every day.
'Wiltshire Police and the public expect the very highest level of professionalism from everyone who serves within the policing.
'The allegations against him were heard by an independent hearing who concluded on six counts that the behaviour alleged against him amounted to proven gross misconduct.
'Under police regulations, Detective Sergeant Atkinson exercised his right to retire prior to the hearing. However if he had been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice.
Mr Atkinson declined to attend the hearing and quit Wiltshire police force, using rights afforded to him by police regulations, before his case ended
'He will now go on to the national barred list, which will stop him working in policing again.'
Police Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson added: 'There is no place within Wiltshire Police for those who do not uphold the high standards we rightly hold our police force to.
'Wiltshire's public deserve to have trust in their policing service and every incident of this nature erodes trust and confidence.
'Former Detective Sergeant Glenn Atkinson abused his position of trust, inflicting his completely unacceptable, and inexcusable, behaviour on his female colleagues.
'There is simply no excuse which can 'explain away' this abhorrent behaviour.
'I commend those reporting this for their bravery and courage.
'I continue to work with the Chief Constable to eradicate any trace of canteen culture within Wiltshire Police and ensure those in leadership roles have the suitable training to challenge those who both partake, and enable, it.
'Those who carry out this behaviour are the problem but those who allow it to go unchallenged are also a huge part.
'Each officer, member of staff or volunteer has a responsibility to educate themselves, spot these behaviours, challenge them and report it. The time for change is now.'
