PC sacked for sexually harassing colleagues

PC Joshua McKeown-Holbrook has been banned from policing

A police officer who sexually harassed three female colleagues has been sacked for misconduct.

PC Joshua McKeown-Holbrook, who worked for West Yorkshire Police in Leeds, faced a total of 19 allegations of inappropriate behaviour between January and October 2023.

In total, 16 of the allegations were found proven following a misconduct hearing, with three found not proven.

Det Ch Supt Tanya Wilkins from West Yorkshire Police said the force was "committed to creating a workplace that is safe and inclusive".

"We make it clear to all our officers and staff what behaviour is considered inappropriate both on and off duty, and this officer has clearly breached those standards," Det Ch Supt Wilkins added.

"Nobody should be subject to behaviour from colleagues that makes them feel uncomfortable."

PC McKeown-Holbrook, who had been suspended since the accusations against him emerged, told a hearing he accepted some of the allegations against him, but said his behaviour was friendly and not sexually motivated.

The accusations included a claim, found proven, that he touched the top of a colleague's thigh when they were together in a police vehicle and "pulled your fingers up and down". He was also found to have hugged the officer despite her asking him not to.

On another occasion he was found to have winked at a different officer, stuck his tongue out and embraced her with a hug. He also took hold of her hand while they were together in a police vehicle.

It was also found proven that he had texted the officer to tell her: "You look hot in your yellow highlighter", in reference to a police jacket she was wearing in a photo.

Det Ch Supt Wilkins said the officer, who did not face criminal proceedings over the accusations, had been dismissed without notice and added to the College of Policing's Barred List.

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