EX-POLICE OFFICER MARK SLADE BANNED AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT CONVICTIONS
A former West Mercia Police officer who admitted sexual assault has been banned from policingMark Slade, aged 50, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Magistrates' Court 25 September 2023 to five counts of sexual assault by touching during an incident while out in a town in January of the same year.He was working at the West Mercia Police headquarters located in Hindlip, Worcestershire, at the time of the offences.During a misconduct hearing held on Friday, it was concluded that Slade would have been dismissed from the force had he not already resigned.Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Jones stated: "The actions of Mark Slade were abhorrent, and he has no place in policing."She further added: "He breached the standards expected of our officers both on and off duty in the most deplorable way.
I’d also like to thank our colleagues at Kent Police for pursuing these allegations and helping seek justice for the victims, who bravely reported him."Slade was suspended in February 2023, within 72 hours of his arrest by Kent Police, and subsequently resigned in September 2023.
The hearing found his actions amounted to gross misconduct and a serious breach of professional behaviour standards.
Following the decision, Slade was added to the College of Policing barred list, which prevents him from employment within any UK police service in the future.
