THE number of Herefordshire police officers sacked over allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct has been revealed.

Data obtained by the Hereford Times through a Freedom of Information request showed the number of conduct cases brought against West Mercia Police employees in Herefordshire between 2019 and 2023.

In total, 57 conduct cases relating to sexual assault, harassment and misconduct were brought over the five-year period, with 50 of these against serving officers.

Of the conduct cases, 16 were upheld, with four officers and staff sacked. In six of the upheld cases, no further action was taken. The other upheld cases were dealt with by written warnings.

This means that less than 10 per cent of those who faced allegations were sacked.

But there have also been cases of misconduct where former police officers would have been sacked if they hadn't already resigned from the force.

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The latest case of this kind was brought against Richard Davis, who had been based in Herefordshire and was found to have lied about his financial situation. Although he resigned before he could be sacked, a ruling was made to prevent him from serving in any UK force ever again.

He was described as "dishonest and fraudulent" with West Mercia Police saying police are asked to disclose details of their finances to help protect them against bribery and corruption.

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Deputy chief constable Richard Cooper said at the time of the case, in February this year: "As a force we are realistic and compassionate and support is readily available for officers.

"We will not let individual officers undermine the credibility of the force by acting dishonestly."

Other recent misconduct cases against police have included Rhett Wilson, who was jailed for perverting the course of justice and police corruption, and Marcus Garland, who sent sexually explicit images to a vulnerable person.