Two female officers who complained about a male colleague 'making sex noises' and telling one he liked to 'look at her a***' were allegedly asked to drop their complaints by a Police Federation representative.
Former PC Michael Baines was hauled before an independent misconduct panel and sacked for gross misconduct after multiple complaints about his behaviour towards two fellow officers, referred to as 'Officer A' and 'Officer B', at Merseyside Police's training academy.
But it has emerged that an unnamed representative of the Police Federation, the union which represents rank and file officers, is also subject to misconduct proceedings. An independent misconduct panel into PC Baines' behaviour noted in a written judgment: "Officers A and B have been involved in separate misconduct proceedings against a Police Federation representative who attempted to persuade them to drop their allegations against PC Baines.
READ MORE: Getaway van burns in street after robbers target Tesco cash delivery
"Officer A and Officer B are understandably upset about this and they are also dissatisfied with the way in which they were treated by the Academy."
The panel heard the most serious allegation against the ex officer was on a group training run on September 15, 2021, when one of the women, referred to in the hearing as 'Officer B', fell to the back of the group.
According to misconduct panel's written ruling: "It appeared to [Officer B] that you were deliberately running behind her, and during that run, she [Officer B] stopped three times expecting you to overtake her, you did not.
"When she stopped for a 4th time she said: 'Oh, Mike you don’t have to wait for me, go and catch up with the others' to which you replied words to the effect of 'I’ve got no motivation unless I’m watching your a***'.
"She responded, 'f***off Mike' and further said 'you’re disgusting, you’re freaking me out'."
The officer was also accused of deliberately making fake "sex noises" in front of the other complainant, 'Officer A', on another group run. When asked why he was heavy breathing, he replies: "I don't make this much noise in bed".
On a third occasion he was described as playing with his genitals while "adjusting himself" in front of Officer B.
According to the ruling: "You began to touch yourself and adjust your genitals, you did this on so many occasions that [Officer B] became concerned about your wellbeing and said 'Mike are you alright?' to which you replied 'my balls aren’t as tight as they used to be'. This response made her feel uncomfortable."
The officer also made other inappropriate comments. On August 28, 2021, while waiting for an IT presentation to start, he told Officer A: "Oh gosh if we’re here any longer people might think we’re s*******".
PC Baines denied gross misconduct and claimed the comments were just "banter" and that he was trying to fit in with younger colleagues. The panel accepted he was remorseful, but described his behaviour as likely to cause "very obvious harm to the reputation of Merseyside Police."
The panel wrote: "Officer A is not easily offended but she is entitled to expect courtesy and respect from fellow police officers and can righty take offence at PC Baines’ actions. The Officer’s behaviour has had a more pronounced effect on Officer B.
"Her confidence and self-respect has been harmed to the extent she discussed with her partner the option of giving up her job to avoid the unsolicited attention of PC Baines. At the end of the hearing, Officer B was left in tears by the proceedings and the need to give evidence resulting from PC Baines refusal to accept the seriousness of his actions."
PC Baines, who had spent several years as a volunteer special constable before applying to become a police officer, will now be added to the College of Policing's Barred List preventing him from holding any other policing job in the UK.
Chief Superintendent Jennifer Wilson, head of the Merseyside Police Professional Standards Department, said: “We always demand the highest possible standards of behaviour from our officers and staff and will seek to take immediate action when we are made aware that someone’s behaviour falls short of those standards.
“The actions and behaviour of Constable Baines was clearly unacceptable and following a robust investigation by our Professional Standards Department and a hearing in front of an independent panel he has rightly been dismissed without notice.
“It is important that the public knows that Constable Baines’ behaviour is in no way reflective of the majority of hard working and dedicated officers and staff who work for Merseyside Police.
“We will always encourage and support our officers and staff to report any concerns they have about a colleague’s behaviour or inappropriate activity and have simplified this by introducing a Call it out App to enable staff to report any concerns they may have regarding improper or inappropriate behaviour. We will then seek to take immediate action where it is deemed necessary."
READ NEXT:
First look inside former Beehive pub after major rebrand
The 24 most wanted men in the UK as police issue 'do not approach' warning
Social care worker had 'relationship' with teenage boy in her care
Woman's windows rattled after hearing 'two explosions' from home
Killer who tried to burn cousin's body appeals murder conviction seven years later
