NORTHUMBRIA POLICE OFFICER DISMISSED FOR MISOGYNISTIC AND INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT DURING COUNSELLING
A Northumbria Police officer, PC Michael Perry, has been dismissed without notice for gross misconduct following misconduct during counselling sessions arranged by the Police Federation between November 2023 and January 2024 in Annitsford.During these sessions, he made inappropriate and misogynistic comments, including asking a female counsellor if she wanted to go out for a drink and get drunk, and explicitly stating, "I hope I'm not being too forward, I just really want to have angry sex right now." He also talked about women as "man haters" and claimed they were feminists, which he considered a societal problem.
The misconduct hearing chaired by assistant chief officer Joscelin Lawson found his conduct misogynistic, showing a lack of self-control and tolerance for others.
In addition to these comments, he faced allegations of Googling his counsellor, asking her personal questions, and invading her personal space, with five out of seven allegations proven on the balance of probabilities.
The panel concluded his conduct involved intimidation, sexualised comments, and misogyny, directly impacting the reputation of Northumbria Police.
Although a final warning was considered, it was deemed insufficient to maintain public confidence, leading to his immediate dismissal.
PC Perry has the right to appeal to the Police Appeals Tribunal.
