Sexual misconduct complaints for hundreds in police

The report is the latest published by TVP in an effort to "improve confidence" in reporting

A total of 261 police officers or staff have been the subject of sexual misconduct complaints while working for Thames Valley Police (TVP) over recent years.

A TVP report shows 80 of them were suspended, 70 were put on restricted duties and 111 had no action taken against them following complaints between February 2020 and the end of March.

It said 71 officers, former officers or staff were disciplined following investigations. Sanctions ranged from dismissal to reflective practice.

The largest non-metropolitan force in England and Wales, TVP started publishing reports on sexual misconduct investigations in its ranks last year and said it will take "decisive action" when allegations are made.

TVP said the report was "designed to be transparent with the reporting and findings of allegations of sexual misconduct to improve confidence in reporting these matters."

The force is still investigating 46 allegations, it added.

A police officer who was not publicly named was sacked by TVP in March after a panel found he sexually assaulted a woman at his home.

It said it was "clear" the officer "prioritised his own sexual gratification in spite of [the woman] repeatedly saying no" in August 2023.

It said the "only proportionate and necessary outcome" was sacking him.

TVP said it employed 30% more police officers on 7 May than it had in February 2020.

It employed 4,527 full time equivalent (FTE) police officers just over five years ago but employed 5,882 earlier this month.

Its support staff employed on a FTE basis rose by a quarter, from 3,348 in 2020 to 4,210 over the same period.