Police officer had sex with public and colleagues while on duty, hearing finds

'The public expect and deserve to have trust and confidence in their police', deputy chief constable says

Officers from Dorset Police’s Counter Corruption Unit found that as well as failing in his duty to protect people and lead by example, the inspector had abused his position for his own sexual purposes (Getty Images)

A police inspector accused of abusing his position to engage in sexual activity with members of the public and colleagues while on duty has been barred from working as an officer.

Inspector Billy Bulloch, who was previously commended for his professionalism under pressure, resigned from his post at Dorset Police after being investigated by his own force for gross misconduct.

Officers from Dorset Police’s Counter Corruption Unit found that, as well as failing in his duty to protect people and lead by example, the inspector had abused his position for his own sexual purposes and misled investigators looking into the matter.

Mr Bulloch has been told by a tribunal that he would have been removed from his position had he remained part of Dorset Police after facing allegations of abusing his position for a sexual purpose, engaging in sexual activity with members of the public and members of the force whilst on duty, pursuing others for sexual activity whilst on duty, and dishonesty.

“The public expect and deserve to have trust and confidence in their police”, Deputy Chief Constable David Lewis, Dorset Police’s lead for professional standards, said after the hearing.

He added: “Former Inspector Bulloch let his colleagues and the public down by his conduct, which represented a fundamental betrayal of the public and the values for which the police service stands. Police officers serve to protect the public and are in significant positions of trust.

“While the vast majority of all members of Dorset Police are highly professional and dedicated, our Counter Corruption Unit will thoroughly investigate concerns in respect of any member of the organisation, who is alleged to have failed to maintain the highest of standards and behaviour, as demonstrated by this case”.

Mr Bulloch was previously commanded by the same force for his calm and professional manner under pressure during a 2013 domestic dispute.

A trained negotiator, the then-sergeant Bulloch managed to talk down a man who was holding a knife to a woman’s throat when officers arrived - pulling her to safety once she had been released while another officer deployed a Taser