PC who used handcuffs in sex encounter resigns

The officer used his police uniform and handcuffs despite being off-duty

A police officer who used his uniform and handcuffs in a sexual encounter committed gross misconduct, an investigation concluded.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said former PC Benjamin Mace, 41, would have been dismissed from Cambridgeshire Constabulary if he had not already resigned.

The panel heard that in October 2019, he met a woman on a dating app and later visited her dressed in police uniform, while off duty, and placed her in police issue handcuffs while engaging in sexual contact.

A one-day gross misconduct hearing on Thursday, placed the officer, who had resigned in October 2021, on the barred list meaning he cannot be employed in policing in the future.

IOPC regional director Charmaine Arbouin said: "The public have a right to expect police officers to maintain high levels of professionalism and integrity, whether on or off duty.

"PC Mace abused his position as a police officer and his actions are a discredit to policing and undermine the public's confidence in the service."

The officer had written on his dating profile that he was a police officer based in Peteborough and he had exchanged messages with the woman for about a month.

An investigation by IOPC began in May 2020 after the incident was reffered to them by the force.

Investigations concluded in January 2021and a year later, in January 2022, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of sexual assault by touching, but that charge was later dropped.

The disciplinary panel found PC Mace had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to honesty and integrity, and discreditable conduct.