Unacceptable actions of officers warranted dismissal, says PCC

Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Angela Kandola have spoken of their shock and disappointment after six police officers failed to act on a report of rape.

Four of the officers resigned and two were today dismissed following a four-day gross misconduct hearing at Nottinghamshire Police Joint Headquarters in Arnold. The hearing also said the four who resigned would have been dismissed if they had still been serving.

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: “I am horrified by the attitudes displayed by the officers when responding to this incident and I am frankly furious that anyone wearing the Nottinghamshire Police badge could dismiss a disclosure of rape and not take it seriously.

“It is absolutely unacceptable for officers to fail to act when any member of the public reports a crime, and unfathomable that they should do so when the allegation is as serious as rape.

“They clearly failed in their duty and have quite rightly been dismissed.

“On behalf of the public, I will be seeking urgent assurance that further steps are taken to ensure incidents like this cannot happen again, to give survivors confidence that reports of rape will be taken seriously and professionally.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Angela Kandola, strategic lead for preventing Violence Against Women and Girls, said: “This is outrageous and will not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form. It is essential that anyone who reports rape or sexual abuse has trust and confidence that their report will be taken seriously by the police.

“Victims deserve absolute confidence that they will be heard and supported every step of the way

“Sadly, incidents like this can be incredibly damaging to that trust and it is important to make it clear that anyone who behaves in this way while representing Nottinghamshire Police will be shown the door, with no second chance. It’s as simple as that.”

There are a range of support services available for anyone who has been impacted by sexual violence in Nottinghamshire. To find out more, click here.