SHAMED TOP COP TEXTED PICTURE OF PENIS TO JUNIOR COLLEAGUE, DISCIPLINARY HEARING TOLD
A senior police officer retired from Greater Manchester Police hours before a disciplinary hearing found he pursued a junior female colleague and then texted her a picture of his penis.Rob Cousen, who rose to become the commander of GMP's Tameside division, snubbed the disciplinary hearing held at the force's headquarters on December 1, which concluded he was guilty of gross misconduct and would have been sacked had he not retired a matter of hours before.
The panel ruled Cousen's conduct was 'sexually motivated throughout' and he pursued a 'sexual and inappropriate relationship' with a junior female officer over a 'long period of time'.
It was revealed he obtained her personal phone number, sent her texts flirting and seeking meetings outside work hours, and on more than two occasions, sent her unsolicited photos of his penis and face.
The misconduct was found to breach standards of 'integrity' and 'authority, respect and courtesy', amounting to 'gross misconduct'.
Cousen's lawyer admitted the 'revised charge in its entirety', and the police leadership deemed a larger case involving others was not pursued due to the complexity and costs.
Despite not attending, testimonies from colleagues highlighted the regret and apologies he expressed, acknowledging his behavior was 'not conducive to being a police officer' and that his early retirement was due to his position being 'untenable'.
The disciplinary panel concluded he was guilty and recommended his name be added to the College of Policing 'barred list'.
The article notes there was a 'power imbalance' between Cousen and the female officer, who he exploited to offer her a promotion, and that his conduct was 'sexually motivated throughout'.
