Sussex police officer barred after attempting to kiss vulnerable woman

A hearing's found he breached professional behaviour standards

Author: Anahita Hossein-Pour, PAPublished 8th Feb 2024

A former Sussex Police officer who tried to kiss a woman when he attended her home to take a statement has been barred from policing.

Steve Green, who had already resigned as a constable based in Eastbourne, appeared at a two-day misconduct hearing on February 6 and 7.

The panel found his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

Sussex Police said the 38-year-old inappropriately called a vulnerable woman whom he had met when he was on duty in February 2022.

A force spokesman said:

"He went on to attempt to pursue an inappropriate relationship with the woman and, while attending her home to take a statement from her, attempted to kiss her.

The panel, led by an independent legally qualified chairperson, found he breached professional behaviour standards regarding discreditable conduct, authority, and respect and courtesy.

He would have been sacked from the force if he had not already resigned, and has been banned from returning to police work in future.

Sussex Police's deputy head of professional standards, Detective Superintendent Jon Robeson, said:

"Police officers must behave in a manner that does not discredit the police service or undermine public confidence, whether on or off duty.

"This officer's behaviour is a violation of the trust that the public put in the police to serve and protect them.

"He has not only let down the public, but also his colleagues who carry out an enormous amount of good work with victims of serious offences every day."

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