Police force loses battle over sacked sergeant

Wiltshire Police has been told it must reinstate an officer sacked after throwing a woman from Colerne on to a cell floor.

The force today revealed it had lost its court battle over Sgt Mark Andrews, who was jailed in September 2010 for assault and later dismissed by the force, despite having his conviction quashed.

Wiltshire Police had asked the High Court to overturn the decision of the Independent Police Appeals Tribunal at a hearing last month at the High Court in London.

In December last year the tribunal ordered the force to reinstate Sgt Andrews to his £36,000-a-year job, from which he had been sacked following an disciplinary panel hearing.

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The force said the written judgement levelled some criticism at then chief constable Brian Moore.

The incident that led to Sgt Andrews’ dismissal involved the handling of arrested woman Pamela Somerville at the Melksham custody centre in July 2008.

Today chief constable Pat Geenty said the force would not be taking the battle any further.

He said: “I will now enter into discussions with Mark Andrews and his representatives in relation to his integration back into Wiltshire Police as a warranted police officer.

“The Police Appeals Tribunal accepted that Mark Andrews’ actions were intolerant and discreditable and I felt they were a disgrace - there was no place in Wiltshire Police for this behaviour then nor is there now.

“While I believe the Police Discipline Panel’s decision to dismiss Mark Andrews was correct, I accept the legal authority which states he must be reinstated.

“I will always expect my police officers and staff to uphold the highest standards of behaviour and the actions the force took against Mark Andrews were right and proper to ensure the professionalism and integrity of the force was upheld.

“But now is the time to move on, look forward and accept the lessons learned.”

He said the force would provide Sgt Andrews with any necessary training and support, and added that he fully supported the officers and staff who had reported the sergeant’s behaviour.