Suffolk policeman dismissed for sleeping with 'vulnerable' colleague

PC Harry Butler did not attend the outcome to the misconduct hearing

A police officer who slept with a "vulnerable" colleague has been dismissed after a misconduct hearing.

PC Harry Butler breached several professional standards while serving with Suffolk Constabulary.

The officer slept with an intoxicated colleague in 2022 and the panel said he failed to recognise her greater vulnerability.

Panel chair Karimulla Khan said: "Dismissal without notice is the only appropriate outcome."

The internal force hearing, which took place at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, heard PC Butler had bragged about sleeping with his colleague to other officers.

The panel said his behaviour breached the standards of honesty and integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; and conduct.

'Gratification'

Mr Khan said PC Butler had harmed his colleague's dignity and reputation, and caused harm to the public's confidence in policing.

He added that it was more likely than not that the colleague had consented to the sexual activity but that PC Butler "put his own sexual gratification above the needs of [the colleague]".

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said: "Investigations into the circumstances regarding sexual assaults can be lengthy and complex, so outcomes can take some time to be resolved.

"In this case, a thorough criminal investigation was conducted by police and a case file was developed that was put to the CPS. In this case, the required threshold for a criminal charge was not met.

"It's important the public understand that we want to encourage victims of any sexual assault to continue to speak to us and feel confident in accessing the specialist support they need."