THAMES VALLEY POLICE SERGEANT FIRED FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF JUNIOR OFFICERS
A police sergeant serving with Thames Valley Police, PS James Francis, has been dismissed following a misconduct hearing that revealed he engaged in sexual harassment of junior female officers.The misconduct included groping their bottoms, pulling their hair, and making lewd comments.
Specifically, PS Francis was found guilty of gross misconduct for sexually harassing two female officers during work team social events where alcohol was consumed.
One officer, Officer A, was subjected to groping and unwelcome physical contact, including slapping her bottom and removing her hair clip, actions deemed inappropriate and degrading.
Although the initial groping allegation could not be proven, the panel confirmed the incident where he slapped her bottom as fact.
Officer A described feeling very uncomfortable and degraded by his behavior, stating, “PS Francis made me feel very uncomfortable, this is due to his inappropriate comments.
He has made me feel belittled and degraded.” In addition, she believed PS Francis thought he could get away with his actions because he was her sergeant, and expressed her disappointment and shock at his conduct.
A second officer, Officer B, was also harassed, with PS Francis allegedly telling her “I would ruin you,” which was found to be done with a clear sexual motive.
At a social event, PS Francis groped Officer B's buttocks on multiple occasions and stroked her thighs without consent.
The panel described his behavior as failing to act with fairness and dignity, degrading young female colleagues, and breaching police standards related to respect, courtesy, and equality, consequently undermining public confidence in the force.
It was also noted that PS Francis did not treat male colleagues similarly.
The misconduct amounted to gross misconduct, leading to his dismissal without notice.
Thames Valley Police declined to comment publicly on the case.
