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A chief superintendent at Essex Police has been dismissed with immediate effect after an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation found that he had abused his position for sexual purposes with two female colleagues.
Essex Police referred Tom Simons to the IOPC in March 2022 following multiple allegations, at which time the officer was suspended pending a full investigation.
In December 2023, the IOPC investigation was concluded and Simons’ case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in January 2024. In June 2024, the CPS decided that Simons would face no further criminal action.
However, last week, at a disciplinary hearing chaired by Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy of Bedfordshire Police, Simons was found to have committed gross misconduct, at which time he was dismissed without notice. Simons, who denied all the allegations, will also be placed on the policing barred list.
The hearing found that Simons:
- Abused his position for a sexual purpose with a colleague.
- Engaged in sexualised behaviour at work with two colleagues.
- On one occasion engaged in sexual behaviour without consent.
- Failed to disclose his relationship with a colleague when he knew he should do so.
His conduct, which related to two female colleagues, was found to have breached the police professional standards of behaviour relating to integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; duties and responsibilities; and discreditable conduct.
‘No place in policing’
Chief Constable of Essex Police, Ben-Julian Harrington QPM, said he was particularly disappointed given Simons’ seniority and praised the witnesses in the case for speaking out when they saw something that was wrong.
“There is simply no place in policing for people who think, wrongly, that they can get away with sexual misconduct.
“It’s super-clear in Essex; if you speak up, you’ll be listened to and there will be action to help you. But if you try to get away with sexual misconduct or the kind of abhorrent behaviour we have seen in this case, we’ll catch you. We’ll investigate you and if allegations are proved then we’ll do everything in our power to make sure you never work in policing again.
“This case and the outcome also shows that whoever you are, if you do something wrong you’ll be held to account for it.
“I won’t allow anyone, whoever they are, to put selfish actions before public service or to be part of Essex Police.
“I’ll also make a promise that I won’t let the good work of thousands of honest, decent Essex Police staff, officers and volunteers be undone by one person.”
Chief Constable of Essex Police, Ben-Julian Harrington QPM.
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