Police officer sacked over ‘sexual assaults, racism and homophobic behaviour’ while off duty

PC Joseph Gritt was dismissed without notice in front of Assistant Chief Constable Nicola Ross this week.

He admitted six counts of breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour set out in the Schedule to the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012, following a number of incidents whilst off-duty back in April in Ascot.

The breaches all related to Discreditable Conduct.

Gritt was found to have sexually assaulted three women and further assaulted one of them. He was also found to have made homophobic comments and a racist comment.

Deputy Chief Constable John Campbell said Gritt’s actions ‘fell way short of the behaviour expected from a serving police officer’.

“This behaviour is completely unacceptable within our Force,” Dept Ch Const Campbell said.

“Thames Valley Police officers are expected to uphold the highest of standards, even when off-duty, and this is underpinned by the Code of Ethics. All reports of misconduct are taken extremely seriously and investigated thoroughly.

“PC Gritt has shown complete disregard for the standards expected of him and there is no place in the Force for those who behave in this way.

“Despite what must have been traumatic experiences for the victims I would like to commend them for challenging the behaviour and for supporting the case.”

While Gritt was sacked for his behaviour, there was no criminal case to answer. The case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which reviewed the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and determined that there was insufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction.