Officer nicknamed the octopus sacked for misogyny

A police superintendent nicknamed "the octopus" has been found guilty of gross misconduct for touching female staff members without permission and comparing women to sports cars.

Dyfed-Powys Police Supt Gary Davies also excluded female members of staff from meetings and a misconduct hearing panel said his actions, between 2017 and 2021, had an "obvious corrosive effect" on colleagues.

The 58-year old, from Bridgend, who joined the force in 2002 and was promoted to superintendent in 2019, has been dismissed without notice.

He is also barred from serving as a police officer or working for any police force for at least five years.

Supt Davies was "not well enough" to be present for the conclusion of the two-week hearing at the force's headquarters in Llangunnor, Carmarthenshire, on Friday.

The officer, who was suspended by Dyfed-Powys Police in July 2022, had four allegations of misconduct and one of gross misconduct found proven against him.

They included touching two female colleagues at a Christmas party without their permission, making inappropriate remarks and comparing the appearance or sexuality of women to a Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and Porsche.

The panel also heard Supt Davies created a "boys' club" by dismissing female colleagues' opinions, giving them work below their level of expertise and preferring to men in respect of work allocation and recognition.

Supt Davies also sent text messages to a female colleague requesting they run away together.

He denied his actions amounted to gross misconduct but the panel disagreed

Chairman of the panel, Oliver Thorne, said the allegations amounted to "unlawful discrimination" which led to two of the women involved seeking counselling.

Mr Thorne added: "He cannot possibly have thought his behaviour was anything other than a breach of standards."

He said Supt Davies' abused his position and "felt he could act as he liked" with behaviour that ranged from "thoughtless lack of self control, through to deliberate sexualised conduct".

The panel also found the behaviour risked "significant reputation harm" to policing and undermined the authority of leaders.

Mr Thorne said anything other than dismissal without notice would risk "harm to recruitment" as it would put off people from joining the force.

Dyfed-Powys Police apologised to current and former staff and officers "victimised" by Supt Davies' behaviour and thanked them for their "integrity and courage" in coming forward.

Deputy Chief Constable Ifan Charles said: "I appreciate this case is shocking and may cause concern to the workforce.

"I would like to reassure you that swift action was taken to suspend former superintendent Gary Davies once allegations were made, and the case has been treated with utmost seriousness.

"As a force, we will use all of the tools available to us to ensure the efficient and swift manner of dismissing those who should no longer hold the office of constable."