Detective Sergeant Richard Mills (born 28 January 1983) from Rochdale has been convicted of two charges of sexual assault after a two-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Incidents involved offences against a GMP police officer and a staff member.
The Professional Standards Directorate established a robust criminal case after a thorough examination into DS Richard Mills. He initially attracted the attention of our internal investigation team in 2016 subsequent to a referral from a staff member.
Detectives initiated an investigation into claims of sexual assault and gross misconduct, resulting in DS Mills being transferred from Chadderton Police Station to the Crime Coordination Unit at Nexus House.
In March 2023, DS Richard Mills made sexually inappropriate remarks in a public workspace audible to several coworkers, resulting in multiple complaints and attracting the attention of our Professional Standards Directorate.
In light of this pervasive misconduct, a police officer revealed that DS Richard Mills had sexually attacked her in 2020.
In both instances, DS Richard Mills seized his co-worker’s hand and compelled them to make contact with his genitals through his trousers.
DS Richard Mills was suspended from the force on 27th March 2023 and was charged with five counts of sexual assault on 20th July 2023.
During police interview, DS Richard Mills denied the offences and provided no comment when questioned.
After a jury found DS Richard Mills guilty today, 20th December 2024, an accelerated misconduct hearing will be scheduled to hold him accountable for his behaviour.
Detective Chief Inspector Iqbal Ahmed of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate said: “Our investigation into DS Richard Mills uncovered alarming circumstances, whereby Richard Mills preyed on women in the workplace who were just trying to do their jobs, and sexually assaulted them.
“His brazen actions ultimately led to his downfall, as discussions around inappropriate conduct and sexualised behaviour unearthed criminal offending and provided victims with the courage and readiness to support proceedings. I commend their bravery for coming forward and telling us what happened.
“The workplace should be a safe and inclusive environment and anyone who interferes with this will be dealt with appropriately. Throughout this case, we spoke with 37 officers or staff who worked alongside Mills, gathered testimonies, and significant evidence to support this conviction and upcoming misconduct proceedings.
“Richard Mills is now a convicted sex offender, and while we are aware any outcome won’t undo distress Mills caused, it is our hope today’s result may provide a sense of closure to anyone affected by him.
“We are committed to upholding the highest professional standards and our dedicated team investigating internal matters are working tenaciously to root out those unworthy of serving the public as part of Greater Manchester Police.”
UPDATE 08.02.25
A Rochdale Detective Sex Offender, Richard Mills, who sexually attacked a police officer and a staff member has been held accountable for his reprehensible conduct against his colleagues, following their courageous decision to come forward and support the charges.
Detective Sergeant Richard Mills, 42, from Rochdale, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, February 7, 2025. Mills has been registered as a sex offender for a duration of ten years.
This follows his conviction on two counts of sexual assault by a jury in December of the previous year, after which he was released on bail pending today’s hearing.
The convictions pertain to two instances of forcible sexual contact occurring in 2016 and 2020, during which Richard Mills was stationed in GMP’s Oldham district and inside the Crime Coordination Unit at Nexus House.
Following the conclusion of criminal proceedings, gross misconduct proceedings will commence.
Detective Superintendent David Jones, within our Professional Standards Directorate did not mince his words, which is refreshing, and said: “DS Richard Mills gravely abused his position of trust and authority within the force when he assaulted his female colleagues for his own perverse gratification.
“It was through their brave disclosure that we built a strong prosecution case.
“Cowardly, Richard Mills denied any wrongdoing. Notwithstanding he has been held accountable for the harm he caused after the victims endured a two-week trial and testified in front of a jury.
“Their tenacity and strength shown throughout our investigation and legal proceedings is commendable and should be recognised as the driving force behind reaching today’s outcome, whereby Mills is starting a jail term as a convicted sex offender.
“He is unfit to serve the public and has been barred from policing. We will now be writing to the Deputy Mayor of GM to appeal for Mills to lose his right to a police pension.
“We take all allegations of sexual violence extremely seriously and we investigate them with the utmost sensitivity. We encourage anyone who has been a victim of this crime to come forward.”
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.