A former Midlands police sergeant who engaged in a sexual relationship with a student officer has been placed on the national barred list, preventing him from working in law enforcement again.
Misconduct Hearing Findings
Tim Rees, who served as a sergeant in the southern area of the county, resigned last month. A three-day gross misconduct hearing chaired by Jon Roy concluded on Friday, June 12, finding that Rees breached standards of honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct. The panel determined that his actions amounted to gross misconduct and stated he would have been dismissed had he not resigned.
Investigation by Anti-Corruption Unit
Staffordshire Police’s Anti-Corruption Unit uncovered the relationship between Rees and a student officer on his team. Following the hearing, Rees was added to the National College of Policing’s barred list, which prohibits him from working in policing or other law enforcement agencies.
Official Response
Deputy Chief Constable Caroline Marsh condemned Rees’s behaviour, stating: “Rees’s behaviour represented a serious breach of trust and police values. Abuse of position for a sexual purpose is a serious form of corruption. It is an appalling betrayal of often vulnerable people.” She added that extensive training continues to be delivered to all officers about maintaining professional boundaries and recognising improper relationships.
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson reminded the public that the National Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service is available on 0800 085 0000 or online for reporting police officers or staff who cross professional boundaries for sexual purposes, abuse their position, or engage in discriminatory conduct.
