Ex-PC had sex with colleague in police station

A former constable who had sex with a colleague in rooms at a police station was found to have committed gross misconduct.

Ex PC Keith Gazzard, from Essex Police roads policing unit, would have been sacked if he had not resigned, a misconduct hearing found.

The accusations, including instigating an inappropriate relationship, failing to declare that relationship, sexual activity at work and while on duty, were all proven.

Assistant Chief Officer Fiona Henderson said: "Former PC Gazzard exploited his position as a respected and long serving officer and it will have taken huge courage for PC A to come forward."

The hearing took place at Chelmsford Civic Centre in May.

It heard the behaviour came to light when the former officer was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague, PC A.

The panel heard PC Gazzard had been a police officer for about 22 years at the time and was based at South Woodham Ferrers Police Station.

It also heard PC A, who was a special constable, felt she could not say no to PC Gazzard.

She felt if she spoke to anyone about the relationship, she would be punished and it would hinder her career.

The panel noted the "obvious disparity in length of service and experience between the two officers".

It heard about a number of incidents, including sexual relations in various rooms at South Woodham Ferrers Police Station between 2021 and 2022.

PC Gazzard also once drove to PC A's home address, while in uniform and on duty, for sex.

They last had sexual relations at a hotel room in London in May 2023, when PC Gazzard was again on duty.

The panel ruled the former police officer, who did not attend the hearing, had breached the professional standards of behaviour relating to duties and responsibilities, authority, respect, and courtesy, and discreditable conduct.

It determined the actions amounted to gross misconduct and he would have been dismissed if he had not already resigned.

Assistant Chief Officer Fiona Henderson, who chaired the panel, praised PC A for reporting her colleague's actions.

"Former PC Gazzard exploited his position as a respected and long serving officer and it will have taken huge courage for PC A to come forward," she said.

"Our colleagues should be able to go about their work protecting our neighbourhoods, keeping the public safe, and securing justice for victims of crime, without being worried about being harassed."

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