PC Kye Cole, an officer from the West Area Command Unit, was convicted of harassment without violence at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on 13 December. The conviction followed a trial concerning his conduct towards a woman he knew.
The court heard that between 7 and 27 April 2022, PC Cole made multiple phone calls and sent a series of disturbing messages to the woman, which led to the harassment charge.
Following the conviction, Cole was given a community order that includes three months of alcohol rehabilitation and 150 hours of unpaid community service. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £2,500 in compensation to the victim, £775 in court costs, and a £95 surcharge.
At a subsequent misconduct hearing held at Palestra House on 27 March, Cole was found guilty of Discreditable Conduct. As a result, he was dismissed from the police force without notice for breaching professional standards.
Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson commented on the case, stating: “Police officers need to demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour, on and off duty, and PC Cole’s actions fell way below this. I am extremely disappointed that one of my officers has acted in a way that has caused distress to a woman.”
Now a former officer, Cole will be placed on the Barred List maintained by the College of Policing. This means he is prohibited from working for any police force, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, or Fire and Rescue Services.
Originally published by UKNIP.
