Former Staffordshire police officer would have been dismissed had he not resigned, investigation finds

An investigation has determined that a former police officer would have been dismissed, had he not resigned.

As a result of an investigation by the Staffordshire Police Anti-Corruption Unit, it was found that former sergeant, Tim Rees, had a sexual relationship with a student officer on his team.

The force said that Rees, who was a sergeant in the south of the county, resigned last month.

A three-day gross misconduct hearing, chaired by Jon Roy, concluded on Friday, June 12 and found that Rees had breached the standards of honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct. This amounted to gross misconduct.

Rees has been placed on the national College of Policing’s Barred List, preventing them from working within policing and other law enforcement bodies.

Deputy Chief Constable Caroline Marsh said: “Rees’s behaviour represented a serious breach of trust and police values.

“Abuse of position for a sexual purpose is a serious form of corruption. It is an appalling betrayal of often vulnerable people.

"Extensive training continues to be delivered to all officers about the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and recognising improper relationships.”