Officer who made homophobic comments given final written warning

A misconduct hearing was told that during the evening in March last year, PC Charles Baxter-Brand, 39, became intoxicated. He then made homophobic comments to a woman who was out with them, about her husband.

When he was challenged by his female colleagues, he became argumentative and rude. He was then taken outside and spoken to by his supervisor who tried to calm him down and challenge his behaviour.  However he went on to make a further homophobic comment.

His behaviour was reported to the force’s Professional Standards Department, which undertook an investigation and found there was a case of misconduct to answer.

PC Baxter-Brand, who is based at Gatwick, appeared before a two-day misconduct hearing held at Sussex Police headquarters this week, in front of a panel led by an Independent Legally Qualified Chair (LQC).

The panel found the officer’s actions had breached Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity and discreditable conduct and determined that this amounted to misconduct.

The officer was given a final written warning for two years.

Detective Superintendent Jon Robeson, deputy head of the force’s Professional Standards Department, said: “Police officers must behave in a manner that does not discredit the police service or undermine public confidence, whether on or off duty.

“We expect our officers to act with the utmost integrity, and in accordance with the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Professional Behaviour, and we have invested in a comprehensive programme of cultural change towards challenging, reporting and tackling unethical or unprofessional behaviour.

“The actions of the officer in this case fell short of the standards we expect, which is reflected in the findings by the panel.”