A former police officer, Marley Symonds, nominated for a bravery award, is one of three officers dismissed from the force for sexually assaulting colleagues on a night out, an act described as “horrific” by the chief constable.
Sgt Marley Symonds engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct and contact against a colleague during a pub crawl in April 2023, as stated in a gross misconduct tribunal.
Marley Symonds was nominated for the 2020 Police Bravery Awards for his efforts in apprehending two dangerous felons sought for threats of murder and blackmail.
During a subsequent hearing, two unidentified Norfolk Police constables were convicted of sexually abusing a colleague at a different work-related social event.
The tribunal determined that all three would have been dismissed had they not previously resigned, and they have all been placed on the College of Policing’s prohibited list for breaching behavioural standards.
A November hearing determined that two policemen, designated as Y and Z, had engaged in sexual touching and inappropriate behaviour with a colleague during a night out in June 2021.
The panel’s independent chair gave them anonymity after legal representations were made.
Chief Constable Paul Sanford said: “The conduct of these former officers was appalling; they have sexually abused colleagues on a night out. Such behaviour has no place in society or policing.
“We know the behaviour of those who work in policing is under constant scrutiny, both in our organisation as well as the wider community, and rightly so.
“I welcome this scrutiny and our proactive action to dismiss those officers who have no right to wear the uniform will continue. This action is necessary to ensure we maintain the standards that the public and I expect from police officers.
“The horrific behaviour of these officers comes at a cost to the majority who work in our county every day, targeting criminals, taking dangerous people off our streets and protecting the public.”
Criminal investigations were carried out in both cases, with all officers interviewed under caution.
Following enquiries, and the assessment of all available evidence, no criminal charges were brought against the officers.
In the case against Marley Symonds, heard earlier this month, the panel was told that he was in a stag party which encountered another group of colleagues who went on a bar crawl together in Norwich.
Marley Symonds was accused of repeatedly touching the woman – whom he had not met before – despite her telling him not to, though the panel did not conclude it was of a sexual nature.
It found that he had put his hand under her skirt and into her underwear.
In the case involving the anonymised officers, a separate panel concluded that the two officers had made comments of a sexual nature towards a colleague and touched her inappropriately.
Additionally, Officer Y, a police constable, also put his hand up her dress and under her clothes, the panel concluded.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.