EX-CLEVELAND POLICE INSPECTOR SIMON HURWOOD GUILTY OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
A former police inspector named Simon Hurwood, who served in Cleveland Police, has been found guilty of gross misconduct after a disciplinary hearing.The panel concluded that Hurwood used coercive behavior and engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with junior female colleagues over a period of 14 years, a total of 21 women.
The force described his actions as shameful and praised a brave individual for coming forward with the whistleblower.
Hurwood, 53 years old at the time, resigned from the police force in September after 27 years of service.
He had denied the allegations initially.
The disciplinary panel upheld eight allegations of gross misconduct and eight of misconduct, revealing that Hurwood preyed upon younger women facing personal problems and had full sexual contact with four of them.
One victim described how Hurwood coerced her into performing sex acts in police vehicles and an inspector’s office, fearing loss of her job.
Despite being questioned and arrest in March for sexual assault offences, there was insufficient evidence for criminal prosecution.
The panel concluded he would have been dismissed without notice if still serving and barred him from rejoining the police profession.
Hurwood was not present or represented during the hearing, and he had previously dismissed the allegations as ‘cruel nonsense’ and had laughed off earlier challenges to his behavior.
