Former detective sergeant guilty of gross misconduct following ‘sexually inappropriate’ behaviour

A misconduct panel concluded that had Gavin Jolley still been serving, the former Devon and Cornwall Police officer would have been dismissed without notice.

The hearing looked at allegations that he had a case to answer in relation to 18 incidents relating to inappropriate behaviour. This included inappropriate sexualised comments while on duty, inappropriate touching of a member of the public while off duty, sexually inappropriate comments to members of the public while off duty and sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues of a misogynistic nature.

He had previously received words of advice around his behaviour.

Following a three-day hearing in November, it was concluded that the actions were proven and that his behaviours amounted to gross misconduct.

The panel found that Jolley had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of equality and diversity, honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.

Head of Professional Standards, Detective Superintendent Alexandra Doughty, said: “The force and the public expect all officers, staff and volunteers to carry out their roles to a high standard and to maintain the expected behaviours and professional boundaries both inside and outside of work.

“In this case, former Det Sgt Gavin Jolley’s actions have fallen well below that and as such it is right that he is no longer able to hold the office of constable.

“He has been placed on the barred list so will no longer be able to hold a role in any police force within the UK.”

Deputy Chief Constable David Thorne added: “We are working hard to ensure we root out any officer or staff member who does not display the required expectations for working within the police service and it is right that former Det Sgt Jolley would have been dismissed had he not already resigned.”

A former Devon and Cornwall Police constable has also been found guilty of gross misconduct following an accelerated misconduct hearing last month.

The hearing looked at allegations that former PC Leanne Gould, who was a patrol constable in Cornwall, had reported a false sickness absence to attend a wedding having had her annual leave request declined.

She went on to maintain that she was sick in a number of messages to her line manager but later admitted she had reported sick to attend the wedding. She admitted that her conduct was deliberate, misleading and dishonest.

Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell concluded that former PC Gould had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of honesty and integrity, and had she still been serving, she would have been dismissed without notice for gross misconduct.

Det Supt Doughty said: “The force and the public expect all officers, staff and volunteers to carry out their roles to a high standard and to behave in an honest manner. In this case, former PC Leanne Gould’s actions have fallen below that.

“When joining the police service, you accept that we are a 24/7 organisation and sadly there are times when you are likely to miss out on special occasions due to the nature of our work.

“Under no circumstances should someone lie about their health and wellbeing in order to take part in a social occasion as this undermines the trust the force places in that officer to behave with honesty and integrity.

“The former officer has been placed on the barred list so will no longer be able to hold a role in any police force within the UK.”