Wiltshire Police Inspector dismissed for gross misconduct
It followed repeated misogynistic behaviour incidents
A Wiltshire Police Inspector has been dismissed from the force without notice, after allegations of inappropriate and misogynistic behaviour were upheld.
A three-day hearing, led by an independent and legally qualified chair, considered nine allegations against Andy Moreton, involving eleven female colleagues.
The incidents happened between April 2020 and September 2022, with Moreton being suspended from his post in the Roads Policing Unit in early 2023.
Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police Catherine Roper said:
“The actions and attitude of Andy Moreton were, frankly, disgusting and have no place inside or outside of policing.
“His actions are indicative of a pattern of behaviour which is wholly misogynistic – using overtly sexualised language to both demean and intimidate the women he worked alongside.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of the women who came forward and gave their accounts to our Professional Standards Department.
“One of the principles of the new College of Policing Code of Ethics is courage and these women have demonstrated this core value faultlessly – we cannot underestimate the courage it takes to be an upstander.
“We are determined to have a culture which is positive, inclusive and respectful and where everyone feels they can call out inappropriate behaviour, be listened to, believed and that action will be taken.
“In order for the public to ever have trust and confidence in our service, we must continue to take robust action against those within our organisation whose actions seek to undermine our policing purpose.”
Mr Moreton will also be placed on the College of Policing Barred Advisory List, meaning he will not be able to serve in a policing capacity again.
Three misconduct hearings in Wiltshire already this year
The latest gross misconduct hearing is the third to have been held within Wiltshire Police already in 2024.
The county's Police and Crime Commissioner says he 'fully backs' the force's stance in 'rooting out officers and staff who blatantly breach police conduct rules or fall below standards expected – and hold them accountable for their actions'.
The three hearings in Wiltshire so far this year have involved officers behaving in an inappropriate way or sending either inappropriate, sexual, or racist messages and emails to colleagues or external partners.
These hearings have resulted in the dismissal of Andy Moreton, with another officers given a final written warning and another where, although proven, had the officer not left the organisation, a warning or final warning would have been sanctioned.
Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson said:
“All employees – police officers, staff, those within my own office – should be under no illusion: there is no place within policing for those who seek to harm, abuse their position or display behaviours not in line with the high standards demanded by both our organisations, and the public.
“I have always been clear that to realistically, and effectively, start to increase the public’s confidence in the police service, policing leaders would need to tackle these issues within their own workplaces first – and I am pleased to say this change is already happening here.
“Wiltshire Police will not provide a breeding ground for these misogynistic and racist behaviours we have heard about in the last few weeks. For too long, this culture has been ignored and explained away with officers and staff expected to accept it as ‘banter’.
“Hearing how some colleagues have been demeaned, belittled and harassed is uncomfortable and upsetting and we will not shy away from tackling it head on. These behaviours are not acceptable to the Chief Constable and I, and it is not acceptable to the public.
“In Wiltshire, we have a responsible workforce with officers and staff empowered to report and challenge this behaviour, where it exists, and I encourage this. As the public’s voice, I continue to challenge the Chief Constable to deliver the leadership, values and culture change needed to make Wiltshire Police the best it can be.
“And the message to those who think they can continue in this manner? Your time in policing is up.”