Detective dismissed for gross misconduct

DC Nick Gravenor was the subject of a public misconduct hearing following a thorough investigation into allegations that he had used inappropriate sexualised language toward a colleague and subjected her to unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature.

It was alleged that DC Gravenor had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour of Authority, Respect and Courtesy and that his conduct had been discreditable.

The panel heard evidence that between May and August 2015 he used inappropriate sexualised language toward a female colleague.

The woman also stated that on 4 May 2015 she was with DC Gravenor at the Verne High Angle Battery on Portland when he touched her inappropriately.

She also alleged that on 14 August 2015 he went to her home address and she was subjected to unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature.

DC Gravenor was accused of using his position to pursue a sexual and/or emotional relationship with her.

The woman disclosed the allegations to a colleague in July 2018 and an investigation was launched by Dorset Police’s Professional Standards Department.

After considering the evidence at the hearing at Dorset Police’s headquarters at Winfrith, the panel found the allegations were proved and concluded that the breaches were so serious that they amounted to gross misconduct.

DC Gravenor was dismissed without notice.

DC Gravenor was also alleged to have breached the Standard of Professional Behaviour for Confidentiality, relating to a claim that he had used a police records system to carry out a check on the woman without a legitimate policing purpose on 20 July 2015. However, the panel found that this breach was not proved.

Following the misconduct hearing, Deputy Chief Constable David Lewis said: “We expect all of our officers to adhere to the highest standards of professional behaviour towards colleagues, as well as members of the public.

“Our communities quite rightly expect these standards to be consistently upheld, and maintaining these standards is at the heart of maintaining the trust of the public, which underpins the successful policing of our county.

“Following the allegations of the breach of these standards by DC Gravenor, our Professional Standards Department carried out a thorough investigation and the matter was referred to an independently-chaired panel to determine whether the breaches were proven and whether they amounted to gross misconduct.

“This case demonstrates that we will not hesitate to take action against the tiny minority of officers who fail to maintain the high standards that we set and fall below what is expected of them in terms of professional behaviour.

“It also shows that we take any reports from members of Dorset Police about inappropriate behaviour by colleagues extremely seriously and appropriate action will be taken.”