Lincolnshire Police officer sacked over inappropriate sexual behaviour

The hearing concluded at Skegness Police Station on Friday

A Lincolnshire Police officer has been sacked after a disciplinary panel found him responsible for misconduct of a sexual nature.

Insp Adam Syred was found to have breached professional standards by inappropriately touching female colleagues.

He was also found to have made sexual or personal remarks to staff and members of the public.

An independent panel found 18 of 19 allegations against him to be proven.

Initially, 14 allegations ranging from October 2019 were brought against the officer when the hearing began in November, but the number later increased to 19.

All but one were found proven, of which nine were ruled to be misconduct and seven gross misconduct, a further two were found not to amount to misconduct.

In his defence, Mr Syred claimed to be a "tactile person".

However, the panel ruled that he had demonstrated a failure to recognise his rank and a lack of respect for personal boundaries.

The officer had been based at Louth Police Station

The hearing at Skegness Police Station, which resumed on Wednesday, heard details of an incident in a pub in Louth, where Mr Syred was based, in October 2019.

It was told he had introduced himself to colleagues as the new inspector for the area and later smacked the bottom of a police constable.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the officer involved told the panel: "It certainly wasn't welcome or wanted."

She did not report the incident but expressed regret she had not.

Mr Syred said he could not remember the incident due to the passage of time and being drunk.

The panel deemed this allegation proven and inherently sexual in nature, thereby breaching professional standards and constituting gross misconduct.

However, Steven Reed, representing Mr Syred, argued his client's drinking served had as a form of "self-medication."

He described the action as a "failed attempt at humour," and recommended the panel consider demotion for Mr Syred rather than dismissal.

Another incident was reported during Christmas 2019 when Mr Syred brought in sweets for his team.

Approaching the same female constable, he held the bag in front of his groin and asked: "Would you like a rummage through my sack?"

Mr Syred denied the comment was made in a sexual manner but the panel found this behaviour to be proven misconduct, considering it sexual innuendo and unwelcome.

The hearing concluded on Friday and ruled Mr Syred should be dismissed without notice.