PC went on dates with woman he met on call-out

PC Andrew Curry's actions amounted to gross misconduct, a panel concluded

A South Yorkshire Police officer pursued an inappropriate sexual relationship with an intoxicated woman he helped during a call-out, a misconduct hearing has been told.

The panel heard PC Andrew Curry contacted the woman for a "non-policing purpose" hours after meeting her on duty in 2023, and went "on a series of dates" including a walk at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

The hearing found PC Curry, who had been an officer for four years, displayed a lack of integrity and abused his position as a police officer.

In its report, the panel concluded his actions had amounted to gross misconduct and would have resulted in his dismissal had he not already resigned.

The hearing, held last month, was told PC Curry responded to an incident following a concern for welfare report in relation to a "very, very drunk" and "lone" woman - referred to as Ms A - at 02:00 BST.

The panel heard PC Curry gave Ms A "a piggy-back" and helped her gain access to the Airbnb she was staying at after a night out.

There had originally been a call made over fears she was being followed by two males on e-scooters, but it was later established no crime had been committed.

'Misconduct'

At 08:30 that morning, he texted her from his work phone to say: "Good Morning, it was lovely to meet you last night and I hope you are OK this morning.

"Let me know if there is anything you need in regards to us getting you back into the Airbnb. Cheers Andy (the police man from last night)." [sic]

To which Ms A responded: "You were hot as hell mr police man heheh xx. Ive also been naughty. You May need to come use your handcuffs he he x". [sic]

The panel found PC Curry knew Ms A was vulnerable given her high level of intoxication during the incident and the possibility that she would still be intoxicated when he texted her.

As there was no crime recorded in relation to the incident, contacting Ms A was "preparatory behaviour to the misconduct", the panel said.

PC Curry later texted Ms A from his personal phone and arranged a series of dates, including drinks and a walk at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

The officer, in his prepared statement, denied that Ms A was vulnerable and argued that as she "was not a suspect, witness or victim" he had not done anything inappropriate.

The panel did not accept this assertion and found he had used personal information acquired in his capacity as a police officer to pursue a sexual relationship with Ms A.

PC Curry's name will be added to the Police Barred List.

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