Detective sacked after touching junior colleague

A Kent Police detective has been sacked and barred from working in policing after he sexually touched a junior female officer, a watchdog has said.

Det Sgt Gary Stamp was found to have breached police standards following the two incidents at a police station in 2020, including one when he and the officer were both on duty, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

The watchdog explained that gross misconduct was proven in his case at a Kent Police misconduct hearing on Friday, and he was sacked without notice.

IOPC director Mel Palmer said: "His actions were dishonest, unprofessional and inappropriate."

The IOPC also said the detective tried to persuade the female police constable not to report his behaviour after she objected to it.

The investigation ended in May 2021 and a file of evidence was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, which decided not to issue criminal charges of sexual assault in October 2021, the IOPC added.

Kent Police said Mr Stamp also pursued a personal relationship with the colleague.

The force said he had denied all the allegations against him.

Det Ch Supt Jon Armory, Kent Police's head of professional standards said: "Kent Police takes its responsibility to tackle violence against women and girls very seriously, and working with the IOPC holds all officers to the highest standards of professional behaviour."

He added that there was "no place in policing" for Mr Stamp's behaviour.

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