Cop who said 'look at them' and poked colleague's breasts keeps job

A police officer who sexually assaulted a colleague in a drunken "moment of madness" in front of other officers at a Christmas do has kept his job.

PC Glen Collier turned to a female colleague without warning and said "bloody hell. Look at them!’ referring to her breasts, before immediately poking them with a finger.

A Met Police misconduct hearing heard an allegation that "On December 19 2022 at Friern Manor Hotel in Essex, he sexually

assaulted" the female PC, who has not been named.

A summary of the case said: "You did this in a public place, in front of colleagues and friends, without permission, causing (her) embarrassment, humiliation and upset. The assault was a sexual one and you knew at the time you committed that offence that what you were doing was wrong."

Collier admitted the behaviour and in a shamed message to colleagues he later wrote: "At my team’s Christmas do in a moment of absolute madness, I turned to a 49 year old female colleague and said along the lines of, ‘bloody hell her name look at the size of them and then poked her on the breast with my index finger."

Laurence Taylor, Assistant Commissioner Professionalism, wrote in his judgement: "It is therefore established on your own admission that you engaged in inappropriate conduct towards your own colleague, in public, thereby humiliating her and causing her emotional distress."

The decision not to sack Collier will be a blow to the force's reputation after Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley committed to removing bad apples following a series of sexual scandals within the force.

And Collier is the latest in a number of pervy cops who have been able to cling on to their jobs despite being found guilty of sexually-based gross misconduct.

Mr Taylor added: "It is especially important for the police to be seen to uphold the highest standards in dealing with sexual abuse and the protection of the vulnerable, particularly, but by no means limited to serving female officers who must expect and have the confidence to be able to enjoy safely social events with their own team, without fear of being humiliated, abused, assaulted or sexually offended against.

"PC Collier would be very aware of the extensive work ongoing in relation to tackling violence against women and girls and the enormous challenge this poses policing. His behaviour could seriously undermine and cause harm to the public trust and confidence in the MPS."

Collier was found guilty of gross misconduct, but he denied his actions were sexually motivated.

Yet, Mr Taylor added that he admitted his behaviour at the earliest opportunity, was genuinely remorseful, and there was no evidence of a pattern of behaviour.

He added: "The (Police) Federation Representative has submitted by way of mitigation that PC Collier has over a 20-year

unblemished record until this incident. During his service, he has gained a number of skills which remain beneficial to the MPS.

"I therefore considered whether a final written warning would be consistent with the public interest."