A female police officer who was sacked from her job after having s-x with an abuse victim while on duty is launching an appeal against the bosses who sacked her.
PC Andrea Griffiths, 44, was set to face a disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct after she was found to be having a s-xual relationship with a ‘vulnerable’ man she was supposed to be looking after in 2015.
The force said she would have been sacked if she had not quit her job and put her on a list of banned officers.
But the ex-cop is now appealing the decision against her ban after winning a case for having the hearing held ‘behind closed doors’.
A panel heard PC Griffiths began a relationship with the man who was a victim of a s-xual offences and was deemed ‘vulnerable’.
She was accused of having s-x with him both on and off-duty, but PC Griffiths said she only had s-x with the man – known as Mr X – once.
A statement from PC Griffiths at the time said: ‘I recognise I shouldn’t have had s-xual contact with Mr X on June 29, 2015. I accept gross misconduct and deeply regret that it happened.
‘To avoid further embarrassment to everyone I have resigned forthwith from North Wales Police.’
The professional standards hearing was told she had ‘fallen below professional standards of integrity, authority and courtesy’ and shown ‘discreditable conduct’.
Panel chair Susan Davies said: ‘PC Griffiths knew of Mr X’s personal and medical issues while she took part in that s-xual activity, whilst on duty.
‘She breached standards of honesty and integrity, specifically integrity. She behaved in way that was discreditable to North Wales Police.
The former PC is now fighting a ruling that had she had not resigned, she would have been sacked.
A tribunal hearing has started with the press and public excluded at the North Wales Police headquarters in Colwyn Bay.
PC Griffiths’ lawyer asked for the appeal hearing to be held in private.
The request was granted ahead of what is scheduled to be a three-day hearing.
Chairman of the panel Michael Caplan KC said: ‘We have considered relevant medical evidence and have decided after careful consideration for the hearing to be in private.
In due course our decision, but not necessarily all the reasons, will be given in public.’
