Latest figures show increase in allegations of sexual misconduct against police officers

The police misconduct figures for the year ending March 31, 2025, showed an 11 per cent increase in complaints of sexual misconduct where there was found to be a case to answer.

The largest number of court charges against a police officer in the period were for sexual offences.

Marcus Johnstone of PCD Solicitors, a leading criminal defence solicitor specialising in sexual offences, said: “I am not surprised by these figures. Sexual misconduct by police officers covers a range of behaviours from sexual harassment through to extreme cases of sexual assault and rape.

“Whilst this type of misconduct is committed by a small minority of officers in the country as a whole, it is alarming that this area of misconduct saw the second highest growth year on year (after complaints relating to disclosure). Sexual misconduct complaints also saw the highest proportion of allegations with a case to answer, compared to other areas.

“Today’s stats will clearly be of grave concern to the public whose job it is for the police to keep safe and must be a wake-up call to police overseers that this trend cannot go unchecked any longer – for the sake of victims and public confidence. This is an abuse of power of the worse kind.”

He added: “As a criminal defence solicitor specialising in sexual offences, I have represented professionals from all walks of life who are accused of sexual harassment and abuse, including police officers. The fundamental problem is that any powerful organisation with a hierarchical structure is going to attract individuals who want to use their rank and status to exploit others.”

A total of 1,687 police officers were referred to misconduct proceedings in the year ending March 31, 2025, equivalent to 1.1 per cent of the overall police officer workforce.

Of those, 1,369 (81 per cent) resulted in a finding of misconduct or gross misconduct

Following a proceeding, 695 police officers were dismissed, equivalent to 0.4 per cent of the police officer workforce.

Sixteen per cent (267 officers) were not found to have committed misconduct or gross misconduct, and for a small number of individuals (three per cent), proceedings were discontinued.

“The increase in claims of misconduct committed by police officers is a sign that cultural change is urgently needed,” said Mr Johnstone.

“Yes the reason these shocking figures exist is because it is now easier for allegations of abuse to be reported. Compared to 25 years ago, the alleged victims of police officers are more likely to report in the knowledge that their claim will be taken seriously, and more junior officers will not be automatically protected by their bosses.

“However better screening of potential recruits, better training of hires, stronger whistleblowing channels, a zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour and swift action against perpetrators are all essential to deal with the problem. We also need more consistency of stamping out this behaviour by different forces across the country.”

He added: “Not every officer accused of sexual misconduct is the next Wayne Couzens, but daily headlines of officers facing not only disciplinaries, but full blown criminal proceedings cannot go on.

“The Home Secretary’s forthcoming White Paper on police reform must include measures to tackle this issue which now feels endemic and acute.”