A former Staffordshire Police officer has been permanently barred from policing after sending unwanted and inappropriate messages to a colleague and touching her while off duty. PC David Maggs faced a four-day gross misconduct hearing that concluded on Friday, July 10, where the panel found he had breached standards of authority, respect, courtesy, and discreditable conduct.
Details of the Misconduct
The misconduct occurred when Maggs, while off duty, sent a series of unwanted and inappropriate messages to a female colleague. In a separate incident, he also touched the same colleague in an unwanted and inappropriate manner. The behaviour was reported to the force's Anti-Corruption Unit, which launched an investigation.
Hearing Outcome
The gross misconduct hearing, chaired by Stuart Ellison, determined that Maggs' actions amounted to gross misconduct. As a result, he was dismissed without notice and placed on the College of Policing’s Barred List, preventing him from working in policing or other law enforcement roles in the future. Maggs had been based in the south of the county.
Leadership Response
Deputy Chief Constable Caroline Marsh condemned the behaviour, stating: "The behaviour demonstrated by David Maggs fell far below the high standards we expect of all our officers and staff, both on and off duty. His actions were wholly unacceptable and represented a serious breach of the trust placed in him as a police officer." She added that everyone working for Staffordshire Police has the right to feel safe and respected, and the force is committed to fostering a professional culture where misconduct is challenged.
Impact and Commitment
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson confirmed the dismissal, saying: "An officer has been dismissed without notice following a gross misconduct hearing. An investigation by our Anti-Corruption Unit found that PC David Maggs sent unwanted, inappropriate messages to a colleague and whilst off duty, he touched a colleague in an unwanted and inappropriate manner." The force emphasised its commitment to taking robust action against any officer found guilty of gross misconduct.
