Police officer who sexually assaulted six year-old girl on callout is sacked

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A police officer has been sacked after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting an young child on duty.

PC Dean Dempster, 35, a response officer based in Oldham, admitted to sexually touching the child on December 29.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) received a complaint later that day and he was arrested by a supervisor when he returned to duty the day after.

Depster was dismissed from GMP without notice, and added to the college of policing barred list by Chief Constable Stephen Watson, who described Dempster’s actions as “morally reprehensible”.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on 28 February, where he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child.

Dempster, who joined GMP in 2021 after serving as a special constable and ambulance service paramedic, was sacked and barred from policing in an accelerated misconduct hearing, held by GMP on Thursday.

At the hearing, Chf Con Watson found PC Dempster’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct, adding: “This sexual assault occurred whilst the officer was on duty and where the victim was totally trusting and reliant on him performing his duties professionally, compassionately and with her welfare uppermost in his thoughts.

“It is this most egregious breach of trust of an innocent young child that is most upsetting aspect of this case and something that clearly amounts to an aggravating factor.

“I consider this case to be among the most distressing ever presented to me such is the despicable betrayal of all that is inherent in being a decent police officer.

“I have no hesitation whatsoever in dismissing PC Dempster from the service with immediate effect.”

A GMP spokesman added the force will now be writing to the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester to appeal for Dempster to lose his right to a police pension.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “Dean Dempster is not a police officer, he’s a child sex offender who has no right to be in police uniform or in a position to serve the public.

“We have no time for people like Dempster who should not be in GMP and does not represent us.

“This is why we’re increasingly using accelerated misconduct hearings to root out and boot out officers who are unfit to serve in our uniform, and this work will continue while ever they remain.”

IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “PC Dempster’s actions were utterly appalling, and he is now facing the consequences.

“This investigation into his conduct was directed by the IOPC to provide independent oversight.

“GMP and IOPC investigators have worked quickly to safeguard a vulnerable victim and ensure PC Dempster’s prompt dismissal.”

PC Dempster is due to face sentencing for his offence in June.