'˜Sexist, racist' South Yorkshire police officer won't be named to '˜protect his welfare'

The unnamed male officer faces an allegations of making comments “on various occasions in the course of his police work”.

This is “an alleged breach of the standard of professional behaviour and is such a serious breach that it could amount to gross misconduct”, according to the force.

A misconduct hearing for the officer is being held at 10am on June 12, which members of the public are invited to attend, but they will be made to sign a form saying they will not identify him.

A statement on South Yorkshire Police’s website says: “The officer is not being named in order to protect the welfare of the officer and a third party.

“The hearing will be held in public but anyone who attends the hearing will do so on the strict condition that they do not take any steps which could lead to the identification of the officer unless and until expressly authorised to do so by the Panel conducting the hearing.

“Anyone who attends the hearing will need to sign a form agreeing to this condition. Otherwise, they will not be allowed to attend the hearing.”

Police forces have been required to hold misconduct hearings in public since May 2015 as part of efforts to make them more transparent and accountable.

Theresa May, then Home Secretary, said at the time: “The public need to have confidence that the complaints system is fair and effective and that the disciplinary system effectively holds corrupt officers, or those who are guilty of misconduct, to account for their actions.”

There are a number of exemptions which police forces may use to keep the accused officer anonymous, or hold all or part of misconduct hearings in private.

In 2015, a hearing for a South Yorkshire Police officer accused of inappropriate behaviour was held in private because of concerns about his health and welfare and witnesses who may have been called to give evidence