A former chief superintendent with Essex Police, Tom Simons, has been dismissed without notice and barred from joining any other police force after engaging in sexual behaviour without consent. The disciplinary hearing found that he abused his position for a sexual purpose with a colleague and also displayed sexualized behavior with two other colleagues. Additionally, he failed to disclose his relationship with a colleague when required, as reported by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Essex Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington emphasized that there is no place in policing for individuals who engage in sexual misconduct. The dismissal of Tom Simons came after an investigation that was prompted by the force referring the case to the IOPC in March 2022, leading to his suspension. Despite being reminded about his behavior, Mr. Simons continued to act inappropriately, breaching several professional standards.
The case was further complicated when the IOPC conducted a full criminal investigation and referred Mr. Simons to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which ultimately decided not to pursue criminal action in June. The hearing, chaired by Bedfordshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy, confirmed the allegations of gross misconduct, resulting in Mr. Simons being dismissed without notice and having his name placed on the College of Policing barred list.
Essex Police officials expressed disappointment over the behavior of the former officer, stating that witnesses who came forward and those who supported them deserve recognition. Both the IOPC and Chief Constable Harrington reiterated the importance of upholding professional standards and maintaining public trust in the police force. They emphasized that officers who misuse their position for sexual purposes have no place in law enforcement and must face consequences for their actions
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