A North East police officer accused of sexually harassing a colleague at a Christmas work party is set to face a gross misconduct hearing.
Police officer Steven Newman, of Northumbria Police, is accused of two separate incidents involving a colleague, referred to as officer A, in October and November 2023.
It is alleged that on October 30, 2023, while on duty, officer Newman asked officer A whether they were attending the shift Christmas party.
When officer A confirmed they were, PC Newman is alleged to have replied with words to the effect of "Well, I'll book a taxi early so we can go back to yours."
The following day, it is alleged PC Newman sent officer A a WhatsApp message in which he made comments regarding officer A engaging in a sexual relationship with him.
The site notice states: "It is alleged that these comments were discourteous and disrespectful, and/or were inappropriate and/or were offensive and/or amounted to sexual harassment."
A second set of allegations relate to the shift Christmas party on November 25, 2023, which both officers attended.
Officer A was on the dancefloor with their then partner when PC Newman allegedly placed himself between them and made complimentary comments about officer A to their partner.
It is alleged PC Newman then took hold of the back of officer A’s head, pulled them forward and kissed officer A on the forehead.
The site notice states: "It is alleged the kiss from PC Newman was discourteous and disrespectful and/or was inappropriate and/or was offensive behaviour and/or was an act of sexual harassment."
The hearing will also consider whether PC Newman breached force procedures governing the use of social media, including WhatsApp. Those procedures state that users must not post anything which could undermine public confidence in the force, or bring discredit to the force or themselves, either on or off duty.
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The site notice states: "The WhatsApp message sent by PC Newman to officer A gives rise to a concern that this Standard of Professional Behaviour may have been breached.
"The matters set out above, if proven, is said to amount to gross misconduct in that it is so serious as to justify dismissal."
PC Steven Newman's gross misconduct hearing is set to take place from January 26 to 29, starting at 10am each day, at the Old Magistrates Court at Houghton Police Station in Houghton-le-Spring.
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