A Wiltshire Police inspector has been sacked over his ‘disgusting’ treatment of 11 female colleagues.
Andy Moreton, who joined the force back in 2001, was most recently Head of the Roads Policing Unit and Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
During a gross misconduct hearing held at Devizes HQ last week (12 February), Moreton was accused of inappropriate and misogynistic behaviour.
A panel, chaired by an independent Legally Qualified Chair, considered nine allegations from 11 female colleagues said to have happened between April 2020 and September 2022.
It’s understood that one complaint involved Moreton making sexual comments about what a female police staff member’s ponytail could be used for.
All nine complaints were upheld and Moreton, who has been suspended since early 2023, was dismissed without notice.
Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “The actions and attitude of Andy Moreton were, frankly, disgusting and have no place inside or outside of policing.
“His actions are indicative of a pattern of behaviour which is wholly misogynistic – using overtly sexualised language to both demean and intimidate the women he worked alongside.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of the women who came forward and gave their accounts to our Professional Standards Department.
“One of the principles of the new College of Policing Code of Ethics is courage and these women have demonstrated this core value faultlessly – we cannot underestimate the courage it takes to be an upstander.
“We are determined to have a culture which is positive, inclusive and respectful and where everyone feels they can call out inappropriate behaviour, be listened to, believed and that action will be taken.
“In order for the public to ever have trust and confidence in our service, we must continue to take robust action against those within our organisation whose actions seek to undermine our policing purpose.”
In addition to being dismissed from Wiltshire Police, Moreton will also be placed on the College of Policing Barred Advisory List, meaning he will not be able to pursue a career in policing in the future.
