A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) constable resigned just one day before a disciplinary hearing concluded he had conducted a sustained campaign of sexual harassment against two junior female officers he was assigned to tutor. The disciplinary panel determined that PC Simon Rickard would have been dismissed for gross misconduct if he had remained with the force.

The ruling detailed multiple instances of inappropriate and predatory behavior by Rickard toward the two female officers, referred to as Officer A and Former Officer B. The incidents took place between September 2021 and April 2022.

In September 2021, while mentoring Officer A, Rickard made a series of derogatory and sexualized remarks. After Officer A detained a man under the Mental Health Act, Rickard allegedly commented within her earshot, “At least you’ve had a pretty officer arrest you.” In subsequent interactions, he reportedly told her to “just sit there and look pretty” and joked about writing “love letters” using her name. When she asked for guidance on incidents to attend, his response was to suggest they “get naked.”

The panel also found that Rickard took a photograph of Officer A without her consent and made a sexually suggestive comment while laughing. Officer A described feeling vulnerable and isolated as a junior trainee who was new to the team.

Similar allegations arose from Former Officer B, who accused Rickard of inappropriate behavior between February and April 2022. She reported that during one of her initial shifts, Rickard made unsolicited comments about her body and made unwelcome physical contact by putting his arms around her and, on multiple occasions, touching her leg when they were alone in a patrol car. She also alleged witnessing Rickard slap another female officer on the backside during a search, though the panel did not find this specific claim proven.

Rickard was further accused of frequently making disparaging remarks about the appearance and weight of female colleagues and members of the public. The panel noted repeated sexualized and offensive comments, including a remark about a female colleague’s attractiveness coupled with a suggestion he would have pursued her if she had not had a boyfriend. One comment directed at Former Officer B following a scooter accident was interpreted as a sleazy sexual innuendo, though the panel found insufficient evidence of explicit intent in that instance.

The misconduct reportedly caused both officers significant distress. Former Officer B stated the behavior contributed to her decision to leave GMP, describing herself as feeling “unsupported.” Officer A maintained she felt demeaned, humiliated, and vulnerable.

In its findings, the disciplinary panel identified Rickard’s conduct as sexual harassment and discrimination. It emphasized his position of authority as a tutor, noting that he exploited this role to engage in predatory behavior aimed at establishing sexual relationships with the officers.

The panel concluded that the severity of Rickard’s actions warranted dismissal without notice, had he not resigned prior to the hearing.