Wiltshire PCC backs force stance after gross misconduct hearing

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has fully backed Wiltshire Police’s stance in rooting out officers and staff who blatantly breach police conduct rules or fall below standards expected – and hold them accountable for their actions.

Misconduct within policing has come under the spotlight recently after a behind-the-scenes look at Avon and Somerset Police’s Professional Standards Department and Counter Corruption Unit highlighted how forces deal with police officers and staff under investigation.

Within Wiltshire, three gross misconduct hearings have been held since the start of this year involving officers behaving in an inappropriate way or sending either inappropriate, sexual, or racist messages and emails to colleagues or external partners.

These hearings have resulted in one dismissal, one final written warning and another where, although proven, had the officer not left the organisation, a warning or final warning would have been sanctioned.

Last week, Wiltshire Police Inspector Andy Moreton was dismissed without notice after several female colleagues reported repeated misogynistic behaviour, repeated use of overtly sexualised language and demeaning and intimidating behaviour by him towards them.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson says it is right officers and staff are held accountable for their actions with no place for those who abuse their position or fail to uphold the clear standards and behaviours demanded of those working in policing.

And while strong vetting standards are necessary, he says, vetting isn’t a silver bullet and doesn’t prevent misogyny, racism, homophobia, or criminal behaviours from occurring. 

Mr Wilkinson says legacy culture and standards need to be addressed robustly for Wiltshire Police to move forwards and improve the trust and confidence the public have in their policing service – and he is fully supportive of the Chief Constable Catherine Roper’s zero tolerance policy and commitment to culture change.

Mr Wilkinson said: “All employees – police officers, staff, those within my own office – should be under no illusion: there is no place within policing for those who seek to harm, abuse their position or display behaviours not in line with the high standards demanded by both our organisations, and the public.

“I have always been clear that to realistically, and effectively, start to increase the public’s confidence in the police service, policing leaders would need to tackle these issues within their own workplaces first – and I am pleased to say this change is already happening here.

“Wiltshire Police will not provide a breeding ground for these misogynistic and racist behaviours we have heard about in the last few weeks. For too long, this culture has been ignored and explained away with officers and staff expected to accept it as ‘banter’.

“Hearing how some colleagues have been demeaned, belittled and harassed is uncomfortable and upsetting and we will not shy away from tackling it head on. These behaviours are not acceptable to the Chief Constable and I, and it is not acceptable to the public.

“In Wiltshire, we have a responsible workforce with officers and staff empowered to report and challenge this behaviour, where it exists, and I encourage this. As the public’s voice, I continue to challenge the Chief Constable to deliver the leadership, values and culture change needed to make Wiltshire Police the best it can be.

“And the message to those who think they can continue in this manner? Your time in policing is up.”

Published Monday 19 February 2024