Two BTP Specials dismissed after ‘pinching and slapping bottoms’ of female colleagues
Two British Transport Police (BTP) Special Officers who subjected female colleagues to “unwarranted sexualised behaviour” on a night out have been dismissed without notice following a public misconduct hearing.
It was alleged Special Chief Inspector Andy Whitworth, based in the Midlands, “pinched the bottom” of a female Special Constable and Special Sergeant Gary Sims, based in London, “slapped a female Special Constable’s bottom”.
Both faced allegations relating to breaches of the standards of professional behaviour namely authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct during the misconduct at force headquarters in Camden.
BTP said: “It was alleged that on the night of October 16-17, 2021, Special Chief Insp Whitworth pinched the bottom of a female Special Constable. The incident happened while off-duty and socialising with colleagues in Derby.
“During the same night, Special Sgt Sims slapped a female Special Constable’s bottom.
“The panel concluded that the allegations were proven and amounted to gross misconduct.”
Special Chief Insp Whitworth was dismissed without notice.
Special Sgt Sims resigned from the force following the incident. Had he still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice, said BTP.
Detective Superintendent Pete Fulton, head of BTP’s Professional Standards Department, said: “These were two senior officers who abused their positions and subjected two junior colleagues to unwarranted sexualised behaviour on a night out.
“Police officers are expected uphold the law and behave with the utmost integrity whether they are on or off duty, which both Andy Whitworth and Gary Sims failed to do. They do not reflect the values of BTP and I wholeheartedly agree with the decision of the panel to dismiss them both.”