A former senior officer with Essex Police has been dismissed without notice after a disciplinary panel found he engaged in sexual behaviour without consent and abused his position for a sexual purpose.

Tom Simons, a former Chief Superintendent, was found to have committed gross misconduct following an investigation and hearing overseen by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The panel concluded that he behaved inappropriately with multiple colleagues, failed to declare a workplace relationship, and continued to act inappropriately even after being warned.

The allegations included engaging in sexualised behaviour at work with two colleagues and pursuing a relationship with another without the appropriate disclosure, breaching professional boundaries and standards.

Despite denying all allegations, Mr Simons was found guilty of gross misconduct by a disciplinary panel chaired by Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy of Bedfordshire Police. As a result, he has been dismissed without notice and placed on the College of Policing’s barred list, permanently preventing him from working in law enforcement in the UK.

‘No Place in Policing’

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington of Essex Police said the force was resolute in its stance on inappropriate behaviour:

“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. This case is particularly disappointing given the seniority of the former officer.”

The case was referred to the IOPC in March 2022, and Mr Simons was suspended shortly afterward. While the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was later consulted, it was decided in June that no criminal charges would be brought.

‘Abuse of Position’

Emily Barry, Director at the IOPC, condemned Simons’ actions and the damage they cause to public trust in policing:

“Officers who abuse their position for a sexual purpose have absolutely no place in policing. Despite being reminded about his behaviour and the need to maintain professional boundaries, Ch Supt Simons continued to behave inappropriately.
He has deservedly lost his job, and it’s behaviour like this that damages public trust and confidence in police officers.”

Public Reaction and Reform

The case has prompted renewed calls for transparency and stricter accountability in the police service, especially for those in senior positions. It comes amid wider national efforts to tackle misconduct within UK policing, following a series of high-profile disciplinary cases in recent years.

Essex Police has reiterated its commitment to tackling inappropriate behaviour and urged anyone with concerns about police conduct to come forward.