A SENIOR police officer has been sacked for ‘’preying’’ on junior female colleagues, it can today be revealed.
Essex chief superintendent Tom Simons “engaged in sexual behaviour without consent” with one woman, a secret gross misconduct panel ruled.
He also had sex with two women while at work, abusing his position to do so with one of them.
And the married father Simons failed to disclose a sexual relationship, the disciplinary tribunal found.
He was sacked after being found to have breached professional standards of integrity, authority, respect and courtesy along with discreditable conduct.
Simons ran policing in North Essex and was formerly head of the force’ Police Public Protection Unit dealing with domestic violence, victims of sexual offences and human trafficking.
He transferred to Essex Police from the City of London force, which he joined in 2002.
The allegations proved against him involved two female colleagues.
It is understood he faced claims made by a third woman who did not give evidence against him and that matter was dropped.
The panel’s decision was reached on Tuesday and followed a two-week gross misconduct hearing held in secret with the media and public barred from attending.
An unusual order was also made by the panel chair, Bedfordshire assistant chief Constable John Murphy, to prevent Simons being identified.
Simons, in his 40’s, was dismissed without notice on Wednesday and the anonymity ban was finally lifted this afternoon as details of the case were finally made public.
The decision by panel chair Mr Murphy to wait until Good Friday before lifting the embargo, prompted accusations of burying bad news.
Former Met detective chief inspector Mick Neville said: “It is disgraceful to release this news on an Easter holy day.
“The public will be more concerned about thinking about our Lord or hot cross buns and Easter eggs than the news.
“This is simply burying bad news and you wonder whose benefit it is for?”
The Sun had applied for the anonymity order to be removed along with the Independent Office of Police Conduct and the cop’s own force.
It can now be revealed how Chief Supt Simons, in his late 40’s, had been suspended on full pay from duties since early 2022 following an allegation of sexual impropriety.
Other complainants came forward and an investigation was launched by the police watchdog.
How to report sexual harassment in the workplace
If you have been subjected to sexual harassment you can submit a grievance to your HR department and have the right to have that complaint thoroughly investigated, regardless of the seniority of the individuals involved, says the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Some companies allow for anonymous reporting of complaints or have digitised systems.
Since October 26, 2024, employees can expect their employers to take reasonable steps to protect them from sexual harassment as a new duty comes into force.
Employers now have a duty to anticipate when sexual harassment may occur and take reasonable steps to prevent it.
If sexual harassment has taken place, an employer should take action to stop it from happening again.
Simons was questioned under caution and his home was searched and electronic devices seized and interrogated.
A file was sent by the IOPC to the CPS in December 2023 for consideration of charges of alleged sexual offences, coercive control and misconduct in public office.
Crown lawyers ruled in June last year there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegations against Simons beyond reasonable doubt in a criminal court.
The IOPC then referred the case back to Essex Police with a recommendation that Simons should face a gross misconduct board in which a lesser burden of proof applies.
When the gross misconduct case opened on March 31, police regulations were used by the panel chair to hold it in private and prevent Simons being identified.
The ruling was made on the grounds of the impact on the welfare of complainants and consideration to Simons and his family under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights.
In addition, the panel were concerned about the potential for jigsaw identification of complainants if Simons was identified at that time.
Simons denied all the allegations against him.
The IOPC today revealed Simons had ‘’continued with his behaviour’’ towards women despite being previously ‘’reminded about the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and the need to demonstrate the highest level of integrity and professional standards..’’
The senior cop will now be placed on the policing barred list.
IOPC Director Emily Barry said: “I would like to praise the courage of the women, preyed on by this officer, who came forward to report his behaviour.
How to report a sexual assault
- Contact a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery.
- Contact a voluntary organisation, such as Rape Crisis, Women’s Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust or Male Survivors Partnership.
- Call the 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247.
- Speak to the rape and sexual abuse support line run by Rape Crisis England and Wales – you can call the helpline on 0808 500 2222 or use the online chat (both are free and are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year).
“They faced pressure from him as a senior officer, but it’s thanks to them that our investigation was able to gather the strong evidence that was put before the panel at the misconduct hearing, resulting in his dismissal.’’
She added: “Officers who abuse their position for a sexual purpose have absolutely no place in policing.
‘’Despite being reminded about his behaviour and maintaining professional boundaries, Chief Superintendent Simons continued to behave inappropriately.
“He has deservedly lost his job and it’s behaviour like this that damages the public’s trust and confidence in police officers.”
Essex Police welcomed the chair’s decision to name Simons, who joined the force from City of London Police.
Chief Constable of Essex Ben-Julian Harrington said: “There is simply no place in policing for people who think, wrongly, that they can get away with sexual misconduct.
“I pay tribute to the witnesses in this case and to those who supported them in coming forward. You saw something that was wrong and then you did the right thing.
“I want to praise your courage in being up-standing and in trusting us to see this through.”
He added: “This case is particularly disappointing given the seniority of the former officer.”
Mr Harrington also thanked journalists who have reported on this important matter “so responsibly” and who helped “shine a light on a serious case while rightly protecting the anonymity of a number of people who so bravely spoke-up.”