'Abhorrent' former PC banned from policing

Former police officer Mark Slade has been banned from policing

A former West Mercia Police officer who admitted sexual assault has been banned from policing

Mark Slade, 50, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Magistrates' Court 25 September 2023 to five counts of sexual assault by touching while on a night out in the town in January that year.

He was based at the West Mercia Police headquarters in Hindlip, Worcestershire, when he committed the offences.

Speaking at a misconduct hearing on Friday, which concluded Slade would have been dismissed had he not already resigned, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Jones said: "The actions of Mark Slade were abhorrent, and he has no place in policing."

She added: "We expect the highest standards of our officers both on and off duty and he breached those standards in the most deplorable way.

"I'd like to thank our colleagues at Kent Police for pursuing the allegations against Slade and helping to get justice for the victims of his offences, who bravely came forward to report him.

"The actions of a small minority, like Mark Slade and others we have dismissed recently, erode the public's trust and confidence in policing.

"The overwhelming majority of our officers and staff are trustworthy, hardworking and dedicated to serving the public during their times of greatest need."

Slade was suspended by the force in February 2023, within 72 hours of his arrest by Kent Police, and resigned in September 2023.

Friday's hearing found that Slade's crimes amounted to gross misconduct and seriously breached the standards of professional behaviour.

Following the outcome, Slade has been added to the College of Policing barred list, preventing him from working for a UK police service in the future.