Bedfordshire PC guilty of gross misconduct after sexual comments

Deputy Chief Constable Dan Vajzovic said there was 'no place in this force, or anywhere in policing, for this kind of behaviour'

A police officer who made "unwanted and persistent" sexualised comments would have lost his job if he had not already resigned, a hearing ruled.

Former Bedfordshire PC Mark Benger interacted with five female colleagues in person and online between March 2021 and July 2022.

A two-day hearing also heard he sent inappropriate messages via Facebook to a witness in March 2022.

A conduct panel concluded Mr Benger's behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

The former police constable, who did not attend the online hearing, resigned in May this year, having joined the force in March 2021.

The panel concluded that his proven conduct was "in many respects sexually motivated" and was sustained over a period of time affecting multiple victims.

Chair of the misconduct panel, David Tyme, said that Mr Benger "was perceived to occupy a position of trust relative to the female police officers and abused their trust and respect."

Dan Vajzovic, Deputy Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police, said: "Mark Benger persistently pursued young in-service female colleagues. His actions were wholly inappropriate and despite the relatively short time he was in policing he has brought discredit upon the service".