Wednesday 17 August 2022 01:07 AM Crackdown on police abusing women could see offenders automatically sacked and ... trends now
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Police officers who abuse women should be automatically sacked and barred from serving in the force again, according to new guidance.
The College of Policing has also urged anyone leading a misconduct hearing to consider the impact each offence has had on public confidence.
It follows 33-year-old Sarah Everard's murder at the hands of a serving Scotland Yard firearms officer last year and a string of misogyny scandals.
The college's chief executive Andy Marsh called for the harshest sanctions for violent officers as he conceded it was likely there are some who should have been sacked but were saved by lenient judgments at misconduct hearings.
The guidance follows 33-year-old Sarah Everard's murder at the hands of a serving police officer last year and a string of misogyny scandals
Mr Marsh requested the review when he joined the college last August.
The guidance, which has been welcomed by Home Secretary Priti Patel, contains a section on violence against women and girls as part of an effort to stamp out toxic behaviour in policing.
Some 30 per cent of misconduct hearings led by legally qualified chairmen resulted in dismissal in the 12 months to March 31 last year, Home Office figures reveal.
Mr Marsh, a former chief officer for 15 years who was appointed to the role last August, said: 'When I was a chief constable, I had to accept officers back into my workforce who I believe should have been sacked, because the decision had been taken out of my hands.
'So, when I joined the College of Policing I asked the team to review the guidance we already provided on misconduct proceedings because the process wasn't working