TV police sergeant found guilty of gross misconduct

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 14:02 · Archive

Ben Sutcliffe, who appeared on Police Interceptors, has been found guilty of gross misconduct after having sexual contact with a junior officer.

Ben Sutcliffe, a temporary sergeant at Cleveland Police who appeared on the Channel 5 television show Police Interceptors, has been found guilty of gross misconduct. The disciplinary hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Victoria Fuller, heard that Sutcliffe had a sexual relationship with a female probationary officer, referred to as PC A, which began in June or July 2024.

Sutcliffe was accused of having sex with the junior officer in public places, which he himself described as 'risky', and also while he was supposed to be on night shift as a dog handler. He allegedly sent sexually explicit messages and videos while on duty, to the extent that it affected his ability to perform his job. Sutcliffe is also said to have repeatedly lied about the relationship when challenged by the force and encouraged PC A to do the same. He allegedly passed confidential details of another officer's arrest to PC A without proper policing purpose.

Chief Constable Fuller concluded that had Sutcliffe remained a serving officer, he would have been dismissed. She said his conduct was 'very serious' and that he had displayed 'dishonesty over an extended period of time'. Sutcliffe resigned from Cleveland Police in February and did not attend the disciplinary hearing in Stockton. He made a written submission accepting his conduct amounted to misconduct but suggesting it fell short of gross misconduct.

How it is being reported

• TV police sergeant had 'risky' public sex with officerBen Sutcliffe, who appeared on Police Interceptors, has been barred from future service after a panel.BBC Tees · 21 Oct, 13:40
• Police Interceptor sergeant had 'risky' sex with junior PC, disciplinary hearing toldTemporary sergeant Ben Sutcliffe resigned from Cleveland Police in February and did not attend the disciplinary hearingTeessideLive · 21 Oct, 12:41

In this story: Ben Sutcliffe · PC A · Victoria Fuller · Holly Hunter · Cleveland Police · Channel 5 · Stockton

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