Police constable dismissed for gross misconduct

A police officer has been dismissed after she was found to have inappropriately touched a woman.

Kayleigh Long, a former constable with Bedfordshire Police, admitted the incident at a misconduct hearing, but she disputed that it amounted to a breach.

The events took place on a Christmas night out in December. Long had previously been given a final written warning over another incident.

She was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.

Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy, the chair of the panel, found that Long's behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and she was immediately dismissed.

She will also be placed on the College of Policing barred list, which will ban her from returning to policing or similar professions.

ACC Murphy said: "Kayleigh Long’s training meant she had a good understanding of consent. Her deliberate actions were completely inappropriate and a gross invasion of the victim’s personal space.

"The public rightly expect the highest standards from our officers, particularly with regard to protecting women and girls. The behaviour in this case was so serious that dismissal was the only appropriate sanction."

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