Crawley Officer Barred From Policing After Inappropriate Relationships With Three Women

A disciplinary hearing has ruled that a former Sussex Police officer would have been dismissed, if he hadn't resigned, after forming inappropriate relationships with three vulnerable women.

He had met the women through his duties as an officer and they were considered in vulnerable positions - two were being criminally investigated at the time.

The outcome follows an investigation carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

At an accelerated hearing organised by the force and chaired by its Chief Constable, Jo Shiner, gross misconduct allegations were found proven against ex-police constable Sam Bate, aged 26.

The hearing was told:

He had searched their police records via Sussex Police computer systems without a policing purpose and failed to properly investigate a road traffic incident (RTI) relating to one of the women.

From May to August 2020, he was alleged to have formed an inappropriate relationship with two women, referred to as Ms A and Ms B at the disciplinary hearing.

He exchanged around 500 text messages with Ms A and the content indicated a sexual relationship was being pursued by both parties.

Between the same dates, he met Ms B for coffee after she invited him out following them meeting during the course of a criminal investigation involving potential motoring offences. They exchanged 150 text messages and met for a second time.

From October 2019, he had been in touch professionally with Ms C. In January 2020 they exchanged texts with a view to meeting for coffee. Although the meeting never happened, the woman told investigators this contact further impacted on her vulnerability.

The disciplinary hearing determined that the former officer had breached police standards of professional behaviour for honesty and integrity; confidentiality; duties and responsibilities; conduct; orders and instructions; and authority, respect and courtesy.

IOPC Regional Director Graham Beesley said:

“Former PC Bate took advantage of vulnerable women and the pattern of behaviour he demonstrated has absolutely no place in policing.

“Abuse of position for sexual purpose is a form of serious corruption. He also neglected to perform his duties when investigating a road traffic incident and this action damages public confidence in the police.

“This outcome imposed by this police hearing should provide a clear message to any officer who misconduct themselves in such a way, that they will be held to account and can and will face serious consequences for their actions.”

The IOPC began an investigation in August 2020 following a referral about the officer’s conduct from Sussex Police.

Investigators interviewed the officer, examined his mobile phones and obtained statements from witnesses, including some of the individuals he had been contacting. Audits showing the officers’ access to the individual’s policing records were also reviewed.

At the end of the investigation in May 2021 the IOPC submitted its report to Sussex Police with a view that PC Bate had a case to answer for gross misconduct. 

Mr Bate will now be placed on the police barred list, meaning he cannot work for the police service again.

PC Bate admitted the allegations, and resigned in January ahead of the hearing.

The allegations against PC Bate were found to be proven by Chief Constable Jo Shiner, with a decision that he would have been dismissed from the force had he not resigned.

CC Jo Shiner said:

"We expect our officers to act with the upmost integrity, and in accordance with the force’s values, the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Professional Behaviour. The actions of the officer fell short of that, and there is no place in Sussex Police for such behaviour.

“I am extremely proud of the staff, officers and volunteers working for Sussex Police. The unacceptable conduct that has been heard here will not be tolerated. This poor behaviour should not overshadow the hard work of others.”