Number of officers sacked for misconduct increases

The number of police officers in two counties who were sacked or resigned after being investigated for gross misconduct has increased year on year, the BBC found.

New figures showed one Suffolk Police officer would have been dismissed for gross misconduct in 2023 had he not already left the force, compared with six in 2024 - an increase of 500%.

Four Norfolk Police officers were dismissed for misconduct in 2023, with 14 let go in 2024 - an increase of 250%, according to data obtained from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

Det Supt Nicola Wallace, the head of professional standards for both forces, said officers would always "face the consequences" if they did not "uphold the highest standards".

"When misconduct is identified, cases are reviewed in line with statutory frameworks and appropriate action is taken," she added.

In 2023 Suffolk Police investigated six alleged offences of gross misconduct, four were proven and one officer would have been dismissed from the force had he not already left.

In 2024 the force reviewed eight cases, with seven found proven and six officers left the service.

Between 1 January and 31 July this year, nine cases were investigated, eight were found proven and seven officers resigned or were dismissed.

One of those officers was Andrew Bedding, who used discriminatory and misogynistic language in a series of texts while working for the force.

In 2023 Norfolk Police investigated four alleged offences of gross misconduct, with all found proven and four officers were later dismissed or would have been if they had not resigned.

In 2024 the force reviewed 16 cases, with 14 found proven and 14 officers left the force.

In the first seven months of 2025, seven cases of gross misconduct were investigated, six were found proven and four officers were either dismissed or would have been if they had not resigned.

In January, Andrew Barton, a police constable with Norfolk Police, was struck off after he handcuffed a "vulnerable juvenile" to railings after using excessive force.

While responding to an incident at a flat on 31 October 2022, he also put the boy in a headlock despite him "not displaying any significant threat".

The FOI figures also revealed that out of the 19 gross misconduct cases found proven from 1 January 2023 to 31 July 2025 in Suffolk Police, nine related to sexual misconduct.

Two cases relating to sexual misconduct were proven in 2023, four in 2024 and three from January to July this year.

In October 2024, PC Stuart Barney was given a final written warning after pinging one colleague's bra and telling another, "you can sit on my face".

In June the same year, the BBC reported a high-ranking police officer known only as "Y" was struck off for engaging in sexual relationships with junior colleagues.

Twelve out of the 24 cases of proven gross misconduct in Norfolk Police between 1 January 2023 to 31 July 2025 related to sexual misconduct.

One case was proven in 2023, eight in 2024 and three in the first seven months of this year.

Last year, three former Norfolk Police officers were found to have sexually abused colleagues on nights out.

Two misconduct hearings heard evidence of two female officers at the force being sexually touched and receiving unwanted sexual behaviour.

Following criminal investigations, no charges were brought against the officers, but all three would have been sacked had they not previously resigned.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk's police and crime commissioner, said work was being done to ensure a "high level of integrity" was maintained across the forces.

"It's still at a very low level, but any increase is unwelcome and completely unacceptable and it is disappointing the numbers have gone up.

"If we do not root out the people who misbehave and do not conduct themselves properly then there is a huge risk to public trust and confidence," he said.

Sarah Taylor, Norfolk's police and crime commissioner, said that while the increased figures may seem alarming, they actually signal a "real shift in culture" at the force.

"Reporting by colleagues against other colleagues, and against their conduct, is now the single biggest source of gross misconduct investigations," she said.

"For me, that is hugely positive and a massive indicator of a very positive and healthy culture, which is really being driven by the chief constable and his leadership team," she added.

Suffolk Police's Chief Constable Rachel Kearton previously denied misconduct was widespread within the force.

In an interview with BBC Radio Suffolk's Sarah Lilley in November 2024, she spoke of her commitment to eliminating misogyny and sexual abuse within the force.

Ms Kearton said: "Are we where I would like us to be? No, we are not.

"There's more work to do but I've come from a background of 35 years in the police service and I've seen it significantly change across the years."

"We take allegations of sexual assault extremely seriously and have robust processes to address complaints and allegations against officers.

"In cases involving criminal offences, proceedings are pursued, and once concluded, any necessary misconduct action follows," she added.

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