Officer dismissed after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting young girl while on duty

Chief Constable Stephen Watson described PC Dean Dempster’s actions as “morally reprehensible” and said it was among the “most distressing” cases ever presented to him.

PC Dempster, 35, who was a response officer based at GMP’s Oldham district, was dismissed without notice and added to the College of Policing Barred List following an accelerated misconduct hearing.

GMP said it will now be writing to the deputy mayor of Greater Manchester to appeal for PC Dempster to lose his right to a police pension.

PC Dempster was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court in February of sexually assaulting a young girl while responding to an incident on December 29, 2023.

GMP said: “We received a complaint later that day and he was promptly arrested by a supervisor on the district when he returned to duty the day after.

“Our unit dedicated to professional standards conducted an investigation – directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) – which led to his conviction at Liverpool Crown Court in February. He has remained suspended since being swiftly charged on December 31, 2023.”

GMP said PC Dempster’s misconduct hearing at force headquarters was its “latest use of accelerated proceedings as part of our pledge to ‘root and boot’ more officers unfit to serve the public more quickly”.

“Since 2021, we have ensured we have sped up this process with almost four times as many accelerated hearings being held in the most recent 12-month period,” it added.

Presiding over the hearing, Mr Watson found PC Dempster’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct, saying: “This sexual assault occurred whilst the officer was on duty and where the victim was totally trusting and reliant on him performing his duties professionally, compassionately and with her welfare uppermost in his thoughts.

“It is this most egregious breach of trust of an innocent young child that is most upsetting aspect of this case and something that clearly amounts to an aggravating factor.

“I consider this case to be among the most distressing ever presented to me such is the despicable betrayal of all that is inherent in being a decent police officer.

“I have no hesitation whatsoever in dismissing PC Dempster from the service with immediate effect.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “Dean Dempster is not a police officer, he’s a child sex offender who has no right to be in police uniform or in a position to serve the public.

“We have no time for people like Dempster who should not be in GMP and does not represent us.

“This is why we’re increasingly using accelerated misconduct hearings to root out and boot out officers who are unfit to serve in our uniform, and this work will continue while ever they remain.”

The IOPC said it directed an investigation, carried out by GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, following referrals from the force relating to PC Dempster’s conduct.

IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “PC Dempster’s actions were utterly appalling, and he is now facing the consequences.

“This investigation into his conduct was directed by the IOPC to provide independent oversight.

“GMP and IOPC investigators have worked quickly to safeguard a vulnerable victim and ensure PC Dempster’s prompt dismissal.”

PC Dempster is due to face sentencing for his offence at a future date.