His conduct was found to be ‘ inappropriate, persistent and unwanted’
Stock image: The officer has been barred from policing(Image: PA)
A former Essex Police sergeant was barred from the force after behaving inappropriately with female colleagues. A misconduct hearing held by Essex Police on Wednesday (April 29) heard that Police Sergeant Tobias Olley’s behaviour towards other members of staff on and off duty was inappropriate, persistent and unwanted.
It concluded that Olley breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in the areas of authority, respect and courtesy and his discreditable conduct. The former Sergeant was found to have fallen short of expectations in the police force. Olley resigned from Essex Police before the misconduct hearing, but the panel said he would have been sacked for his behaviour, which it described as a targeted and inappropriate approach towards female colleagues.
Assistant chief constable Stuart Hooper said: “This former officer’s behaviour was totally unacceptable and represents a grave breach of the standards the public rightly expect from those who serve them.
“His female colleagues were subjected to behaviour which has absolutely no place in policing – or indeed in the wider public. I want to thank the victims and witnesses who came forward to report this behaviour. I know it cannot have been easy.
“We are resolute in our commitment to root out officers who abuse their position and cause harm to others. I understand the concern the public will have when reading this case, but I want to reassure you that we are rigorous in our work to identify and deal with officers whose actions fall below the standards we expect.”
The hearing concluded that the misconduct amounted to gross misconduct and ruled that former Sgt Olley would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned.
It was also ordered that Olley’s name be placed on the College of Policing Barred List.
