A Wiltshire police officer, PC Frank Katus, has been dismissed without notice following a three-day misconduct hearing at Wiltshire Police Headquarters.
Chaired by an Independent Legally Qualified Chair, the hearing determined that PC Katus’ behaviour constituted gross misconduct, breaching professional behaviour standards in authority, respect, and courtesy, equality and diversity, and discreditable conduct.
The investigation revealed that in January and February 2023, PC Katus, who served as a Roads Policing officer, sent unwanted, inappropriate, and offensive messages to two police staff colleagues.
Deputy Chief Constable Craig Dibdin expressed strong condemnation, stating that PC Katus’ actions fell well below the high standards of professionalism expected from all police officers, staff, and volunteers.
Upon receiving reports of PC Katus’ behaviour, he was promptly suspended, and an investigation was initiated.
Dibdin said, “There is no place within our organisation for anyone who conducts themselves in this inappropriate manner and PC Katus will now be placed on the national barred list which means he will not be able to work in policing in the future.”
Taking the opportunity to commend the complainants who supported the investigation, whilst also encouraging all members of the organisation to use the newly launched Safe2Say Anonymous Reporting System, Dibdin finished off by saying, “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the complainants who have supported the investigation – we encourage all members of our organisation to use an anonymous reporting tool if they have concerns regarding a colleagues behaviour to help ensure we have a positive, supportive and inclusive culture for the benefit of our colleagues, and ultimately our communities we serve.”
The new Safe2Say Anonymous Reporting System is a bespoke internal reporting system which is geared to giving officers, staff and volunteers the confidence to report any wrongdoing, concerns they have or intelligence within the police force.
