‘Sex pest’ officer sacked for behaviour that crossed the line of professional integrity

An officer who sexually harassed female colleagues and even joked about using a date rape drug has been dismissed.

Detective Inspector Jeremy Holland was criticised by his senior officers for using “wholly unacceptable” behaviour which fell “below the levels of integrity” expected by the service.

At a Christmas party in 2014 Det Insp Holland simulated sex with a female colleague and said to another officer he liked her leather trousers but they would “look a lot better on my floor”.

A misconduct panel, based at Leyland police station in Lancashire, also heard how Det Insp Holland had been referred to as a “sex pest” by junior colleagues.

The Lancashire Constabulary officer was found guilty of two counts of gross misconduct and one of misconduct.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Rhodes, speaking after the decision, said: “A professional boundary should exist between the relationships of members of Lancashire Constabulary and their colleagues.

“If this boundary is breached, it will undermine not only the trust and confidence of our own staff but of the communities of Lancashire.

“We are proud to be a good employer and it is disappointing when conduct like this falls way below the levels of integrity we all sign up to.

“The vast majority of our officers and staff take pride in working for the police service and do a fantastic job every day serving our communities.

“Conduct of this type does not only let the public down but undermines all those committed officers and staff trying to serve the public to the best of their ability.

“The hearing has found that this behaviour was wholly unacceptable.”

The panel was told how at a force festive gathering Det Insp Holland placed his hand on the thigh of a female officer and simulated a sexual act. It was this woman that he joked about using the date rape drug Rohypnol on.

Later at the same party the officer told a female officer wearing leather trousers: “I like your pants. But they would look a lot better on my floor.”

Det Insp Holland, who was formerly based in Pennine CID, was also found to have sent inappropriate sexual text messages to a second junior female colleague.

One colleague told the hearing she had received inappropriate text messages from him despite making it clear she was happily married.

The hearing was told that in June 2015, Det Insp Holland opened a one-on-one meeting with one female colleague by saying: “You are really fit.”

When challenged over the remarks by another officer being transferred over allegations of sexual touching, Det Insp Holland allegedly said: “I just try to make women feel good about themselves.”

One witness told the hearing: “From having a normal conversation he suddenly said ‘Rohypnol would help, but you would still feel it’.”

The witness told the hearing Det Insp Holland attempted to arrange a trip to Merseyside with her despite there being more suitably trained officers than them.

The panel found in that instance Mr Holland was using his senior rank to harass his colleagues.

Representing Det Insp Holland, Christopher Hopkins said his client was “old school” and did not realise his remarks had crossed the line.

Mr Hopkins said: “While gross misconduct is denied, he accepts failing to discharge his duties with the due diligence required.”

Det Insp Holland also claimed his remarks were taken out of context and were merely “banter”.

The panel rejected that motion and said some of his behaviour was “inappropriate and were examples of professional harassment”.

Some of his behaviour was also said to have constituted sexual harassment.