PC sacked for off-duty 'inappropriate behaviour'

A police officer has been sacked for acting inappropriately towards a woman at a social event.

PC Jonathan Mawson, from Essex Police, was found to have committed gross misconduct in Chelmsford in February 2022 when he was off duty and "caused the woman to feel distressed", the force said.

He stood trial for sexual assault by touching at Peterborough Crown Court and was found not guilty in July 2024.

He had been suspended from duty while the Professional Standards Department carried out its investigation, the force added.

The three-day hearing found Mr Mawson had breached four standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, honesty and integrity, discreditable conduct and equality and diversity.

Assistant Chief Constable Lucy Morris praised the witness who "bravely came forward and reported this behaviour".

"No-one should ever have to be subjected to such inappropriate behaviour", she said.

"It fell well below our standards of professional behaviour and what we expect of our workforce.

"It is disrespectful to treat anyone in this way and will not be accepted or tolerated by us.

"We continue to work hard to stamp out misogyny in all its forms and poor treatment of women and girls, both inside and outside of the force."

She said it was important for the force to set high standards and "such poor behaviours can have a significant impact on the trust and confidence of the public in the police service".

"We will rightly and robustly deal with those who act inappropriately towards women in public and in private – and indeed within our force - and we would encourage people to be upstanders and not bystanders, by calling out poor behaviours at the earliest opportunity, or reporting them to our Professional Standards Department."

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