12/03/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Police officer quits a day before misconduct hearing for making inappropriate sexual comments relating to a child and asking for photographs of a 10 year old child

South Wales Police held an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing chaired by Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan on Wednesday 10th November 2021 in relation to former PC Ryan Oliver.

The allegation against the former officer was proven which amounted to gross misconduct and the hearing determined that the officer would have been dismissed had he still been serving.

The former officer whilst off duty was engaged in a private conversation in an online chatroom with another person who, unbeknown to the former officer, was an undercover police officer. During that online exchange former PC Oliver made inappropriate sexual comments relating to a child and asked for photographs of a 10 year old child. PC Oliver resigned with effect from South Wales Police on 09/11/2021. A day before the hearing.

Head of the South Wales Police Professional Standards Department, Chief Superintendent Danny Richards, said: “Former Police Constable Ryan Oliver has betrayed the trust of the communities he once served and has no place in policing.

“South Wales Police employs a workforce of some 5,000 and the vast majority of our staff and officers demonstrate the highest levels of conduct at all times.

“But we recognise that the actions of one officer can have a big impact on trust and confidence in policing which is why it is so important for every officer and member of staff to maintain the highest standards of integrity and professionalism at all times, whether on or off duty.

“We take allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and will thoroughly investigate those who fail to uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour.

“In the most serious cases where allegations have been proven, officers have been dismissed from the organisation. Referrals are also made to the College of Policing for officers to be added to the Barring List, preventing them from returning to the profession.

“It is the sort of unacceptable behaviour committed by former PC Oliver which undermines the trust that the public place in our service as well as the efforts of the vast majority of officers and staff who work hard to keep our communities safe.”

Read the full decision on outcome here:

https://www.south-wales.police.uk/foi-ai/south-wales-police/misconduct/misconduct-outcomes/2021/november/misconduct-outcome-for-pc-ryan-oliver/

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