Cleveland trainee PC who pressed groin into student sacked

Christopher Mallam from Cleveland Police has been sacked after being found guilty of gross misconduct on 14 occasions against the female students

A police officer who pressed his groin into a colleague and was inappropriate with two other women on their training course has been sacked without notice.

Christopher Mallam was six weeks into Cleveland Police training in 2020 when three students reported his "sexist, sexual and misogynistic comments".

One woman said she repeatedly shouted at him to stop as he touched her during a training exercise.

He was found guilty of gross misconduct on 14 occasions and dismissed.

A disciplinary panel in Stockton-on-Tees also lifted an order granting Mr Mallam anonymity and ruled that his name could be reported.

Nick Hawkins, who chaired the panel, said: "Female officers have the right to work in an environment that is not misogynistic."

Inviting the panel to dismiss Mr Mallam, Stephen Morley, representing the prosecuting authority, said the "poor behaviour towards women uncovered in other forces is a matter of national concern at the moment, sadly".

One woman wept as she told the panel how the PC had touched her during a self-defence exercise which required her to bend over.

She said: "He pushed his groin towards my bottom.

"I just wanted it to stop. I was shouting 'stop' - but they thought it was just part of the exercise.

"That was the scariest thing because he didn't stop. I was thinking, 'should I pretend to pass out so it will stop?'."

The panel also proved allegations that the trainee touched her on several occasions by picking her up and carrying her, and trying to put her in a restraint hold.

'Uncomfortable and humiliated'

He was also found to have "sexualised" conversations, asking one colleague if she had a "sexy nurse outfit" and another if she was "going to use her handcuffs on her fella".

Mr Mallam had denied the allegations, saying the women had "launched a campaign of falsehoods against him".

He also said some of his "jokey" comments had been "misconstrued", the hearing was told.

But Mr Hawkins said all three witnesses were credible and concluded there was "no campaign" against him.

He said it was "unacceptable to behave in a sexualised manner towards your female colleagues, making them feel uncomfortable and humiliated".

Guy Ladenberg, representing Mr Mallam, questioned whether his behaviour was merely "a misguided attempt to attain humour".

"Was it an awkward and gauche attempt by PC Mallam to fit in with his peers?," Mr Ladenberg said.