Sussex Police officer sacked for inappropriate behaviour

A Sussex Police spokesperson said officers should act with "utmost integrity"

A police officer has been sacked after he took part in "inappropriate activities" with a female colleague.

PC Richard Hession, 44, kissed the colleague, known as Officer A, which was "unwanted and unsolicited".

On another occasion he was found in a hotel room with the same colleague while she was intoxicated and she messaged for help, a panel heard.

Sussex Police said officers were expected to act with the "utmost integrity".

The disclosures were made when PC Hession appeared before a four-day misconduct hearing at Sussex Police headquarters from Monday.

The hearing was told on 5 August 2021, the Brighton officer kissed the colleague on the neck, which was "unwanted and unsolicited".

Then on 11 May 2022, he took Officer A to a hotel and booked a room while she was heavily intoxicated, the panel heard.

She messaged a colleague asking for help who found her unwell and in the company of PC Hession in a hotel room, the hearing was told.

The panel found the officer's actions had breached Standards of Professional Behaviour which amounted to gross misconduct.

He was dismissed without notice and placed on the College of Policing Barred list which will prevent a return to policing, said a Sussex Police spokesperson.

Det Supt Jon Robeson, deputy head of the force's Professional Standards Department, said: "Police officers must behave in a manner that does not discredit the police service or undermine public confidence, whether on or off duty.

"We expect our officers to act with the utmost integrity, and in accordance with the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Professional Behaviour, and we have invested in a comprehensive programme of cultural change towards challenging, reporting and tackling unethical or unprofessional behaviour.

"The actions of the officer in this case fell far short of the standards we expect, which is reflected in the findings by the panel."

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