PC on final warning sexually harassed trainees

A police officer sexually harassed two trainee officers he was supposed to be tutoring months after being given a final warning for sending explicit pictures of himself in his uniform.

PC Simon Rickard's "predatory" behaviour caused one of the trainees to physically shake with anxiety and contributed to her decision to quit the force, a Greater Manchester Police misconduct panel heard.

Rickard also took a secret photograph of the other victim before showing it to her and making a lewd comment about performing a sex act on himself.

He retired one day before the misconduct hearing but was found guilty of gross misconduct in his absence and would have been sacked without notice.

Rickard's name has been added to the College of Policing Barred List, meaning he is prohibited from working in a UK policing role in future.

A GMP spokesperson said the force "remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional behaviour and taking robust action when those standards are not met."

Rickard was previously found guilty of gross misconduct in July 2021 when he was caught sending photographs of himself showing his police helmet, badge and uniform to a woman he met on a dating site.

He avoided the sack and GMP said the allegations in that case involved a consensual, off-duty relationship that did not involve an "abuse of position".

However it said the new matters were only reported in September 2023 and led to a fresh investigation.

In a written judgment, the latest panel said the first victim, who was referred to as Officer A to protect her anonymity, reported that a number of inappropriate incidents had occurred throughout September 2021.

They included Rickard telling a man who she had detained under the Mental Health Act "at least you've had a pretty officer arrest you".

Other comments included telling the trainee to "sit there and look pretty" and "let's get naked" when asked what she should do with regard to a police incident.

On 20 September 2021, he took a photograph without her knowledge or permission before making the crude comment and laughing.

The panel noted: "Your conduct towards Officer A was unwanted, shocking and made her feel very nervous having to work with you.

"As a junior trainee officer who was new to the team, your conduct made her feel vulnerable and isolated."

The second set of allegations, relating to an officer referred to as Officer B, took place between February and April 2022.

She reported that during a conversation about her cycling to work, he "looked her up and down" before commenting that she had a "cyclist's arse".

On one occasion, the panel heard, when she asked for help on something on a computer, Rickard stood behind her and put both of his arms around her "in a way which represented an invasion of her personal space".

Officer B also alleged that Rickard "frequently made inappropriate, derogatory and degrading comments" about the weight and appearance of women - including their colleagues and members of the public.

He also made explicit comments about his own sex life and that of his son, and once told her he would have "tried it" with her if she was single.

The panel noted: "Your conduct towards Officer B made her feel extremely uncomfortable and uneasy, such that she feared being alone with you and took steps to be separated from you.

"Officer B became so anxious about going to work with you that she would shake. Ultimately, your conduct contributed to her decision to leave the Force."

The panel heard that the two complainants had spoken during a social occasion and realised they had both had bad experiences working with Rickard.

In its conclusion, the panel said the officers had suffered "emotional harm".

"The panel found that the former officer had been in a position of authority and trust as the tutor of both officers, and he had abused that position," it said.

"The officer's conduct was motivated by a desire to establish a sexual relationship with the officers and his behaviour was therefore predatory in nature."

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