A serving Essex Police officer faces accusations of misconduct after alleged “unsolicited, unwanted and inappropriate” behaviour towards three women whilst on and off duty. PC Kerrie Brown denies the allegations.
The hearing, chaired by Assistant Chief Officer Fiona Henderson, heard the “flirtatious at times” PC Brown allegedly told one woman they were “the best looking” and “it was a shame she was married”.
He allegedly then “repeatedly” tried to look down her top. It was also alleged that he had made sexualised comments towards a woman.
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They are two of several allegations of misconduct that Essex Police accuses the officer of engaging in. Essex Police say the officer’s conduct is alleged to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.
PC Kerrie Brown denied the allegations at the start of a misconduct hearing on Monday (January 6). Mr Alexandos dos Santos, barrister for Essex Police, said the allegations “all relate to various forms of alleged unsolicited, unwanted, inappropriate behaviour by the officer against three complainants”.
The hearing heard PC Brown had allegedly acted inappropriately towards a woman, referred to as Female B, on a night out in Chelmsford in 2022 when he was trying to look down her top. Mr Santos said PC Brown is also alleged to have picked Female B up and “grabbed her” inappropriately. The woman allegedly shouted for him to stop and he did so.
PC Brown had been on a night out in Chelmsford when the alleged offences of misconduct took place. File image
Mr Santos said: “The officer’s actions were unwanted and unsolicited. It was certainly inappropriate. Not surprisingly she [Female B] was very uncomfortable with it.” During that night PC Brown is also alleged to have told another woman, Female C, that the uniform “did not do her justice”.
A third woman, Female A, and the officer spent the night together in 2023. It is alleged that some days later he told her that he “did not regret it” and described it as “ten out of ten”. These comments made the woman “uncomfortable” it was claimed.
Other allegations include that PC Brown had touched a woman on the chin and touched the same woman’s shoulder. There were also allegations that PC Brown would sit close to the women. It was claimed the officer had “no concept of personal space”.
PC Brown denied the allegations and disagreed that it amounted to misconduct. His barrister said the officer “can at times be flirtatious with others but others would be back to him”.
The misconduct hearing continues.