An ex-Cleveland police chief has been barred from police after being found guilty of gross misconduct.
Michael Veale was found guilty of making repeated unwanted sexual remarks to junior colleagues in 2018.
The hearing heard that when Veale, 57, was sitting in a car with a female colleague more than three ranks junior he read out a positive email from a local councillor.
He then looked at Officer B’s crotch area and said ‘Go on, you can touch yourself now’.
It was also heard that he regularly taunted two officers for being ‘bedfellows’.
They both made statements at the earlier hearing to explain the damage rumours of an affair had done to their reputations in the police force.
Steve Turner, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner reviewed the findings of the misconduct panel when considering disciplinary action.
During the 25-minute hearing, Mr Turner found that it was a ‘clear case’ for dismissal and adding Veale to the barred list, preventing him from ever serving in the police force again.
He said: “This is a clear case for dismissal being warranted.
“He repeatedly made sexualised comments to a younger junior female colleague.
“He would be well aware that such behaviour was unacceptable.
“There was a risk of actual harm throughout Cleveland Police.
“It would send a message that such behaviour was acceptable to other officers.
“I do consider that Mr Veale’s culpability is high.
“Anything short of dismissal would send a message to the public and police officers that such conduct is not taken seriously within the police but it very much is taken seriously.”
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Mr Turner emphasised the importance of showing that misogyny of any kind would not be tolerated in the police force.
He added: “There is a need to maintain among members of the public a well-found confidence that any officer will be trustworthy.
“It is imperative that the public has confidence in the police.”
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