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A Gwent Police chief inspector who was dismissed for gross misconduct has appealed his sacking from the force.
In September this year, three senior Gwent Police officers had allegations of gross misconduct proven by a professional standards panel.
Chief Superintendent Marc Budden and Chief Inspector Paul Staniforth were dismissed without notice, while Mark Warrender, a former chief superintendent with the force retired before the outcome of the disciplinary.
All three were added to the banned officers list and the force said that if Mr Warrender had been a serving officer, he too would have been dismissed.
It can now be revealed that Paul Staniforth has lodged an appeal against his dismissal.
A spokesperson for the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office initially refused to name the officer concerned, but Mr Staniforth’s name has now been confirmed.
In a statement they said: “I can confirm that an appeal has been made by Paul Staniforth. In accordance with Police Appeals Tribunal rules the matter has been referred to a Police Appeals Tribunal. The original decision by John Bassett, the Legally Qualified Chair of the original misconduct hearing, regarding the privacy of this hearing, still applies and we cannot provide any further details.
“The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has a legal, procedural and administrative role in this process and as such we will not be able to comment further.”
Incident at retirement party
Chief Superintendent Mark Warrender, who oversaw policing for Caerphilly, and Chief Superintendent Marc Budden, who was the force’s temporary assistant chief constable, were both suspended in 2019.
It followed an incident in Cardiff on June 28 that year at the retirement party of former Gwent Police Chief Constable Julian Williams.
An allegation of sexual assault was made against Mr Warrender, while Mr Budden was suspended over an allegation of misconduct in a public office. The CPS last year decided the pair would not face criminal charges.
However the two faced allegations of gross misconduct at a police hearing held behind closed doors earlier this year alongside Mr Staniforth.
The allegations proven against Mr Staniforth included an inappropriate conversation with a more junior member of police staff and failing to challenge and report the improper behaviour.
The proven allegations amounting to gross misconduct
The officers’ names will be placed on the public Barred List held by the College of Policing pursuant to Part 4A of the Police Act 1996.
The following matters were found proved by the panel:
i. Inappropriate conversation with a more junior member of police staff at a police social event (all three officers)
In breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Equality and Diversity, Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Discreditable Conduct.
ii. Failing to challenge and report the improper behaviour of the others who were engaging in the conversation set out above (all three officers).
In breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Failure to Challenge and Report improper conduct and Discreditable Conduct
iii. Inappropriate touching (Former Chief Superintendent Warrender only).
In breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Equality and Diversity, Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Discreditable Conduct.
iv. Failing to disclose a conflict of interest in relation to (iii) above (Chief Superintendent Marc Budden only).
In breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Duties and Responsibilities, Orders and Instructions, Honesty and Integrity and Discreditable Conduct.
v. Inappropriately disclosing information in relation to the misconduct and criminal investigation into (iii) above to the victim (Chief Superintendent Marc Budden only).
In breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Confidentiality and Discreditable Conduct.
vi. Providing a dishonest account about his conduct (Chief Superintendent Marc Budden only).
In breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Honesty and Integrity.
vii. Engaging in inappropriate behaviour whilst on duty (Chief Superintendent Marc Budden only)
In breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Authority, Respect and Courtesy and Discreditable Conduct.
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