A police officer slapped a female colleague’s buttock, inappropriately touched other staff and made sexual remarks, a misconduct hearing heard. The misconduct panel ruled PC Alexander Kimber, formerly of Derbyshire Police, « failed to maintain a professional boundary » and « had the potential to cause colleagues to feel harassed ».
The hearing was told Kimber – who joined the force in December 2022 – slapped the bottom of a fellow colleague, known only as ‘Person A’, while on duty and sent her emojis on social media in relation to her looks. When Person A was not wearing her PPE (personal protective equipment) Kimber told her « It’s nice to see you without your kit on » – he sent her a message calling her « beautiful » and also messaged: « Ignore me miss smack your bum ».
While in June 2024, the panel said he « poked Person A on her left buttock » and later « sent a message to Person A via Snapchat which stated ‘Poking you on the arse has made my day’. »
The misconduct hearing report told Kimber « you displayed inappropriate behaviour towards female colleagues which failed to maintain a professional boundary and had the potential to cause them to feel harassed by reason of their sex. »
The panel concluded the officer would have been dismissed had he not resigned before the hearing took place.
Mr Kimber accepted gross misconduct in relation to the offences, and according to police documents said he was « extremely remorseful » for his actions.
« This type of behaviour will never happen again, and I have sought therapy to understand my actions and to better understand boundaries, » he is quoted as saying in the documents.
The misconduct outcome, made public by police following the December hearing, revealed Kimber also told a different female colleague: « You’ve done a good job these past few days … and it helps that you’re good to look at. »
In addition, while discussing a mutual colleague with another co-worker he messaged « words to the effect of ‘tell her she needs to show me her boobs for being late' ».
Derbyshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Simon Blatchly said: « The behaviour that Mr Kimber displayed is totally unacceptable and has no place in policing.
« Officers are held to a high standard – whether when dealing with the public or their colleagues.
« The repeated and targeted actions towards female colleagues was wrong and it is right that, had he not already resigned, he would have been removed from service. »
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