PC Jamie Faulkner, 26 years old and stationed at Riverside Police Station in Nottingham, attended a gross misconduct hearing at Force Headquarters located at Sherwood Lodge.
The hearing was accessible to both the media and the public.
The hearing revealed that PC Jamie Faulkner commenced his work in the police force in May 2022 and developed a friendship with a female colleague.
The female colleague exhibited kindness towards the officer during his adjustment to policing and assisted him with tasks he found challenging to do.
The hearing revealed that between January 2023 and June 2023, PC Jamie Faulkner exhibited conduct that caused her discomfort.
This involved requesting hugs, caressing her hair, and lingering by her vehicle following the conclusion of his shift. On one occasion, it was said that he tampered with the zip on her trousers.
PC Jamie Faulkner stated at the hearing that he is homosexual and experiences no attraction to women [WHAT PROOF?]. He expressed feelings of ‘isolation’ inside the unit and regarded the female officer as a confidante.
He expressed regret if any of his actions had made her feel uncomfortable and would have ceased if requested.
The three-day gross misconduct hearing ended on Wednesday, May 21.
The hearing was presided over by Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin and two independent panel members.
PC Jamie Faulkner was acquitted of gross misconduct but convicted of misconduct.
The panel concluded his actions were “disrespectful” by entering the officer’s personal space without any consideration of how it would make her feel.
Mr Griffin said: “The panel accepted the female officer’s evidence that the repeated touching and/or plaiting of her hair occurred as did the touching of her trouser zip in the parade room on or around the 21 June 2023.
“The panel considered that PC Jamie Faulkner had been emphatic about his sexuality and the panel accepted his evidence on this point.
“The panel accepted that PC Jamie Faulkner had not been sexually attracted to the female officer at any time nor had he wanted or attempted to have an intimate relationship with her.
“The panel accepted that PC Jamie Faulkner had felt lonely and isolated when he joined the team, and he had regarded the female officer as someone that he could talk to and confide in. He had considered her to be a friend.
“The panel found that the allegations proven demonstrated a lack of respect by PC Faulkner towards the female officer.
“During the zip incident and by touching her hair, he had stepped into her personal space without any consideration for how she may have felt about that.
“It is vitally important that police officers and police staff respect the personal boundaries of people they work with.
“We understand how difficult it would have been for the female officer to give evidence at this hearing and hope this outcome will offer some reassurance that we take these reports extremely seriously as a police service.”
He was handed a written warning for his behaviour, which will remain in place for 18 month.
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