A Sex Offender sergeant from Thames Valley Police, James Francis, has been dismissed after a disciplinary tribunal revealed he sexually assaulted subordinate colleagues.
PS James Francis was adjudicated guilty of egregious misconduct for sexually harassing two junior female officers by inappropriately grabbing their buttocks, tugging their hair, and making lascivious remarks.
A study from Thames Valley Police indicated that in 2024, there were 10 allegations of rape and 17 allegations of sexual assault against the force’s personnel.
The instances transpired during team social functions attended by members of the force who had been consuming alcohol.
While the initial accusation that PS James Francis grabbed Officer A, whose name was withheld from publication, could not be substantiated due to a lack of evidence linking him to the act, it was confirmed that on a subsequent occasion, he smacked her bottom as she exited the female lavatory.
It was also uncontested that on two instances he removed Officer A’s hair clip and remarked, “you look better with your hair down,” causing her to feel “uncomfortable.”
This was considered “uninvited physical contact which he [PS James Francis] should have known was an inappropriate act towards a junior colleague, and in violation of her dignity” by the panel.
Benefits include an ad-light experience, the e-edition of the newspaper, unlimited access to our content and a reader’s rewards scheme 👍
In a statement, Officer A said: “PS James Francis made me feel very uncomfortable, this is due to his inappropriate comments. He has made me feel belittled and degraded.”
She added: “I think he believed he could get away with it because he is my sergeant.
“I feel shocked and disappointed that my line manager has acted in this way. PS James Francis is of senior rank to me, and he is someone who I should be able to trust, instead he has taken advantage of this.”
A second female colleague, Officer B, was told by the sergeant “I would ruin you” and the panel found he did so “with a clear sexual motive”.
At another team work social event, PS James Francis groped Officer B’s buttocks on at least two occasions and stroked the outside of her thighs on one occasion without her consent.
The panel said: “PS James Francis clearly failed to act with fairness and conducted himself in a way that degraded junior female colleagues who were young, and early in their service.”
It also found that the sergeant did not treat male colleagues in the same manner.
PS James Francis’ actions amounted to gross misconduct because of his breach of several police standards, including acting with respect and courtesy and equality and diversity, and undermined public confidence in the force.
The panel found the only appropriate sanction would be dismissal without notice.
Thames Valley Police was contacted for comment.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.