SOUTH Wales Police ranks among the worst forces in the UK for sexual misconduct and sex offence arrests among its officers and staff.

Data published by i-News shows the same number of South Wales Police officers had been dismissed for sexual misconduct between 2018 and March 2021 as in Greater Manchester – a force which is more than double SWP’s size.

SWP also ranked among the ten forces with the highest number of sexual misconduct allegations, as well as those with the highest number of officers arrested for sex offences.

Eight SWP officers were arrested for sex offences in the three years up to March 2021 – the same as in the Kent and Devon and Cornwall police forces, which each employ more staff.

Seven of SWP’s approximately 5,200 employees were dismissed for sexual misconduct during the same period. This matched the number dismissed for sexual misconduct in Greater Manchester, which employs 10,660 officers and staff.

North Wales Police also ranked highly, with five dismissals for sexual misconduct between 2018-202 and two officers arrested for sex offences.

South Wales Argus: Data published ranks South Wales Police as among the worst forces in the UK for sexual misconduct allegations and dismissalsData published ranks South Wales Police as among the worst forces in the UK for sexual misconduct allegations and dismissals (Image: Newsquest)

Included within these figures will be the case of Sergeant Adam Reed, who was barred from serving in the police last year after it was found that he had, on multiple occasions between 2017-2018, received sexual gratification from a police constable at Cardiff Central Police Station.

Reed was described as having “orchestrated” the encounters and having “manipulated” the much younger officer.

In March this year, PC Jonathan Price, who had engaged in “controlling and abusive behaviour” towards an ex-partner, was judged to have committed gross misconduct.

Both men had already resigned by the time these rulings were made, so no further action had been taken.

MORE NEWS:

Another PC was dismissed last year after he was found to have harassed an ex-girlfriend. He used various social media platforms – as well as his South Wales Police email address – to send abusive and threatening messages.

One message included an implicit threat to publish intimate footage of the woman, saying: “Just for your info – I’ve kept some of the most interesting videos of you… just in case there’s ever a need for them.”

Last month an Inspector Dale Baker, who had already left the force, was found to have displayed inappropriate sexual behaviour towards female colleagues for a period of six years before his exit.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “Recent cases have demonstrated why it is so important for every officer and member of staff to maintain the highest standards of integrity and professionalism and it is down to everyone, regardless of rank or role, to report any colleagues who fall short of these standards.

“South Wales Police takes allegations of sexual misconduct extremely seriously and will thoroughly investigate those who fail to uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour.

“Members of the public and the communities of South Wales should be reassured that the force’s Professional Standards Department will fully investigate any complaint or allegation relating to an individual’s conduct.

“In the most serious cases where allegations have been proven, officers have been dismissed from the organisation. Referrals are also made to the College of Policing for officers to be added to the Barring List, preventing them from returning to the profession.

“It is this sort of unacceptable behaviour which undermines the trust that the public place in our service as well as the efforts of the overwhelming majority of officers and staff who work hard to keep our communities safe.”

  • This article originally appeared on our sister site The National.