Senior police officer who groped and kissed female colleagues sacked

Married father-of-three made inappropriate comments and touched colleague on night out

A senior police officer who groped and kissed several women he worked with has been sacked after being found guilty of gross misconduct.

Ben Meakin, a detective inspector at Derbyshire Police, had a number of sexual misconduct allegations against him which took place on and off duty upheld at a drawn-out hearing where several women gave evidence.

The married father-of-three was found to have told a female coworker: “I could be your dad because I f***ed your mum”.

He was also found to have placed his hand on a different female co-worker’s bottom and touched her thigh beneath her skirt on a night out in Derby in 2013.

The officer also asked a female co-worker to get a drink from the bar — telling other officers he had done this to “stare at her a***”.

The 46-year-old officer denied allegations from five women that his actions were inappropriate.

David Tyme, who headed the panel launched to look into the allegations against Mr Meakin, said the conduct of the officer would damage the “public confidence” in the police.

“The panel concluded that Meakin’s conduct in relation to proven allegations was deliberate and targeted,” he said.

“He should have been aware that such conduct was improper. The conduct was sexual in nature and intent.”

Rachel Swann, the deputy chief constable at Derbyshire Police, said: “We expect our officers to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times and treat their colleagues and the public with respect.

“This officer failed to meet these expectations and has been dismissed after a gross misconduct panel found his actions amounted to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour.

“The public has a right to expect the highest standards of conduct and integrity from those delivering their policing services, and the force will take appropriate action as necessary to uphold those standards.”

Last October, it emerged an official “super-complaint” was set to be launched into the “boys’ club” culture in particular police forces which enabled officers to subject their partners to domestic abuse.

The Centre for Women’s Justice, a legal charity bringing the complaint forward, claims systemic shortcomings mean male police officers in England and Wales are managing to dodge being investigated for domestic abuse.