A former officer has been found to have committed gross misconduct after sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues over social media.
Jagjeet Dhillon who resigned from his detective constable post in November after a 10 year career, had denied breaching the standards of professional behaviour. He would have faced instant dismissal had he still been a serving officer.
On Thursday, August 6, 2020, an independent panel sitting at King’s House in Bedford upheld that he had committed gross misconduct for authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity, duties and responsibilities and discreditable conduct.
An investigation by Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Professional Standards Department was launched last year following complaints from a PC who had been supervised by him while he was in an acting detective sergeant post.
The panel heard from four witnesses who gave evidence that he had acted inappropriately towards them including sending pictures and suggestive comments via social media.
Although Dhillon had already resigned from the force, legislation changes in December 2017 instructed that all gross misconduct cases must proceed to their conclusion even where officers have resigned or retired.
Assistant Chief Constable Sharn Basra said: “No-one should be made to feel uncomfortable while at work, and Jagjeet Dhillon’s behaviour towards colleagues who would have looked up to him was entirely unacceptable and fell well below the standards we expect.
“Equality and respect are core values here at Bedfordshire Police and absolutely every officer and member of staff should be treated with dignity and respect. I’m pleased the officers felt supported to speak out, by collectively challenging such behaviour we will continue to create a positive culture throughout the organisation.”
