A FORMER police officer has been found guilty of gross misconduct after he touched a number of female colleagues inappropriately.

A misconduct hearing heard how former Sergeant Paul Summerville, who had been previously based in Oxfordshire, had also made comments about the physical appearances of female colleagues, made sexualised comments towards them and persisted unwanted contact with them during January and June last year.

Former Sgt Summerville resigned from the force in December 2018 following the allegations.

He had previously received a written warning in 2014 after using inappropriate and offensive language towards a member of staff.

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A panel sitting at Thames Valley Police’s headquarters in Oxford Road, Kidlington on Tuesday and Wednesday concluded the former officer breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Equality and Diversity and breached the Standard of Discreditable Conduct.

Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Ward, said: “Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect while at work.

“This kind of behaviour from anyone should never be tolerated, and is least expected from a colleague.

“The panel has concluded that had the officer continued to be serving, he would have been dismissed from Thames Valley Police with immediate effect.”