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A former police constable who made sexualised comments about women and used discriminatory language targeting the traveller community while on duty has been told he would have been dismissed without notice – had he not already resigned.
The investigation
Gwent Police’s Professional Standards Department began looking into the conduct of former PC Wayne Tancock in June last year, after a review of body-worn camera footage revealed the comments had been made while he was in a police vehicle on duty.
The hearing
An accelerated misconduct hearing took place in Cwmbran on Tuesday 28 April, though the former officer did not attend. Assistant Chief Constable Nick McLain, who chaired the proceedings, found three breaches of professional standards proven as gross misconduct: authority, respect and courtesy; equality and diversity; and discreditable conduct.
The outcome
ACC McLain ruled that Tancock would have been dismissed without notice had he still been a serving officer. He will now be added to the College of Policing’s barred list, preventing him from working in policing in the future.
ACC McLain said: “The behaviour of this former officer was totally unacceptable; neither we nor the public accept such conduct from police officers whether on or off duty.
“Our communities rightfully expect our officers and staff to uphold the highest standards of behaviour and not conduct themselves in a way which will cause public trust and confidence in the service to be undermined. However, this former officer has failed to do so.
“We will not accept misogyny, racism or discrimination from our officers or staff.
“The vast majority of the police officers, staff and volunteers, who work for Gwent Police conduct themselves impeccably and work tirelessly to protect the public, those very few who choose to breach the standards expected of them undermine the public’s trust in policing.”
