'Disturbing' PC is sacked for sexual harassment

An officer with a "deeply disturbing" attitude to women has been dismissed for sexually harassing two of his colleagues, police have said.

PC Samuel Okyere, a Gloucestershire Police tutor constable, began harassing a student officer and texting another commenting on her physical appearance in 2023, a discipinary hearing was told.

He was suspended after his behaviour came to light, and the force's Professional Standards Department began an investigation.

Dep Ch Con Katy Barrow-Grint said Okyere "exploited" his position of "responsibility and trust" to sexually harass his colleagues.

The hearing heard how Okyere had remarked on the student officer's physical appearance, told her he wanted to kiss her and invited her to attend a social event, but told her not to tell anyone.

The panel heard he also repeatedly tried to dissuade her from discussing his behaviour with others; sought to isolate her from colleagues and treated her harshly in front of others to prevent any suggestion of inappropriate conduct.

In addition to hearing from his two victims, the panel was also told how two other officers had overheard Okyere make degrading comments about women.

Dep Ch Con Barrow-Grint said: "It's clear from the evidence given during the hearing that Okyere's attitudes towards women are deeply disturbing and I'm grateful for the courage his two victims and other colleagues have shown to stand up to him and call out his degrading and predatory behaviour."

The panel concluded Okyere's behaviour breached the standards of professional behaviour and amounted to gross misconduct.

Okyere was also barred from policing by the panel.

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