Three police chiefs sacked for inappropriate behaviour at work party
One officer accused of sexual offence against female officer while all three had inappopriate conversations with more junior member of staff
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Three high-ranking police officers have been sacked for inappropriate behaviour at a retirement party.
Gwent Police’s detective chief superintendent, Marc Budden, detective chief inspector Paul Staniforth and former chief superintendent Mark Warrender all attended the event held for a former chief constable in Cardiff city centre in June 2019.
Mr Warrender was accused of a sexual offence against a female officer, while Mr Budden and Mr Staniforth faced allegations of misconduct.
During misconduct hearings held between 7 April and 6 September, it was proven that Mr Warrender had inappropriately touched the officer.
All three were found to have had inappropriate conversations with the woman, who was described as a more junior member of police staff.
Chris Kaba: Black man shot dead by police was unarmed, watchdog says as family demand murder probe
Ashley Wadsworth: Boyfriend admits murdering Canadian girlfriend visiting UK
‘Not a punishment’ for asylum seekers to be sent to Rwanda, government tells High Court
Man accused of attacking Sir Salman Rushdie makes third US court appearance
‘Reckless’ pensioner, 82, who couldn’t see 10ft in front of him killed cyclist in crash
They all failed to challenge or report the improper behaviour of the others involved in the conversation.
Mr Budden was also found to have engaged in inappropriate behaviour while on duty, provided a dishonest account of his conduct, inappropriately disclosed information about the misconduct and criminal investigation to the victim and failed to disclose a conflict of interest in relation to the incident.
He was also accused of improperly influencing the misconduct and criminal investigation, but police and the legal representatives involved in the disciplinary process were unable to confirm the outcome of that allegation.
Mr Budden and Mr Staniforth were sacked without notice after the misconduct hearing concluded on Tuesday, while the panel said Mr Warrender would have been dismissed had he not retired from the force on Friday.
The lawyer who chaired the hearing excluded the press and public from proceedings and directed that only a brief summary of the findings be released afterwards.
The decision to hold the hearings behind closed doors was criticised by several Senedd members, who said it was important for the public to have confidence in the police in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard by a Metropolitan Police officer in London.
Prior to the misconduct hearing, Avon and Somerset Police carried out an independent investigation into the criminal allegations made against Mr Budden and Mr Warrender and submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration in 2020.
In March 2021, the CPS decided there was “insufficient evidence” to bring any criminal charges, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The three will be barred from working as police officers in future.
Deputy Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “This outcome sends a clear message that these kinds of behaviours will not be tolerated within Gwent Police.
“The public expect high standards of integrity from us and where officers abuse their position of power they will be held to account.
“Over the past three years we’ve reflected on behaviours and changed our culture.
“This event was a stark reminder to us that the highest standards of behaviour must be upheld by all, on or off duty.
“Every day the vast majority of our officers behave with professionalism and honesty when serving their local community and behaviour such as this lets us all down.”
She added: “The chair’s decision to hold the hearing in private meant that individuals in this case felt able to participate in the process.”
Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said: “The actions of these men, who were meant to be trusted members of the community is appalling.
“It is utterly outrageous that it has taken three years to conduct these misconduct hearings.
“This represents a substantial use of taxpayers’ money that could have and should have been conducted much faster.
“It was also wrong that the press were continually barred from the proceedings.
“Trust is key to policing and attempts to hold hearings in private do nothing towards building and maintaining that trust.
“Lessons must be learnt from this ordeal to make sure it never happens again.”
Additional reporting by Press Association