Former officer barred from policing for misconduct

A former officer has been barred from policing after a panel found he had committed gross misconduct.

Special Sgt Neil Young, who served in a volunteer role with Avon and Somerset Police in South Gloucestershire, sent misogynistic and derogatory messages to a woman, spoke about meeting up for sexual activity while in uniform and referred to a rape scenario, police said.

An investigation was launched in December 2022 when concerns were raised about his behaviour.

Speaking after the misconduct hearing on Wednesday, Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said: "This former special constabulary officer's actions were horrific and shameful and he clearly expressed degrading and offensive views."

Mr Young also sent an image of an overturned car following a road traffic collision he had attended for no policing purpose, the hearing was told.

Although Mr Young never met the woman he was messaging, she provided an impact statement to the hearing.

In it, she said: "I found coming forward to report his behaviour very, very hard.

"I did not trust that the police would listen to me.

"It took a long time to build up the courage to report it.

"He abused his position of trust."

The misconduct hearing ruled that Mr Young would have been dismissed from his position had he not already resigned in March 2023.

ACC Hall said: "This man's actions are a gross betrayal of the values and standards expected of him.

"He's severely let down his colleagues and the public, and as a result will no longer be able to work or volunteer in policing or other law enforcement agencies again."

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