A POLICE officer who made sexually suggestive comments to his colleagues has been dismissed for gross misconduct.
PC Aaron Petford worked for British Transport Police and was based in Reading.
At a hearing held at its headquarters in Camden, a panel heard that over the course of a year, from August 2021, Petford made a series of inappropriate comments of a sexual nature to two female colleagues and one male colleague.
The panel, headed by an independent Legally Qualified Chair, felt all 10 allegations made had been proven, and the PC’s actions breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to ‘authority, respect and courtesy’ and ‘discreditable conduct’.
They concluded Petford acted deliberately, and he deserved to be dismissed from the force without notice. This was deemed the most appropriate outcome to ensure public confidence in the police service and deter future misconduct.
British Transport Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Alistair Sutherland said: “Through his actions PC Petford showed his colleagues a complete lack of respect and professionalism and made them feel uncomfortable over a prolonged period. This is unacceptable and in no way supports the values of this force.”
