A Bedfordshire Police detective inspector, Andy Southam, who persistently contacted women despite their requests for him to cease would have been dismissed had he not already retired, a panel said.
Detective Inspector Andy Southam commenced his tenure with Bedfordshire Police in 1997 and retired just prior to his misconduct panel this month.
He confronted accusations involving nine women he encountered on a Christian dating platform.
On the initial day of the court, he acknowledged the allegations made by seven women, occurring between 2015 and June 2022. Consequently, the panel ceased to investigate the allegations he refuted.
The hearing determined that Mr. Andy Southam had misrepresented himself as a “high-ranking” police officer to earn the women’s trust.
The women reported that the officer made inappropriate remarks regarding their bodies and sexual conduct.
Despite the women’s requests for him to cease communication, he persisted in sending them messages.
A woman reported initiating a relationship with Mr. Andy Southam in June 2015, but terminated it and blocked him in January 2016 due to his domineering behaviour.
He had infrequent touch with her for the subsequent six years.
Another woman told Mr Andy Southam to stop contacting her in July 2021, but when he continued she reported him to the police in September 2021 and he was arrested on suspicion of harassment.
Deputy Chief Constable Dan Vajzovic said: “This was a pattern of behaviours which was unwelcome, inappropriate and, at times, intimidating.
“His continued unwanted pursuance of females who had asked to be left alone will no doubt further erode the trust women and girls have in policing.
“Despite Mr Southam’s cynical retirement immediately before the hearing it is right that we pursued this matter to its conclusion as this will ensure he is now barred from rejoining any police force.”
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