South Yorkshire police officer who called colleague '˜sweetcheeks' keeps his job

Sergeant Jeremy Fitzgibbons, 47, broke down in tears after a disciplinary panel told him he would be able to stay in the police force after making smutty comments to a fellow officer.

The officer admitted asking his colleague, who was referred to throughout the hearing as Officer A, on a weekly basis what she was wearing and repeatedly asked if she was wearing a black thong and called her ‘sweetcheeks’.

He was also accused of using a sexual innuendo, that insinuated he masturbated while on the phone to her, in a text message to the officer but a police disciplinary panel, sitting in Sheffield, South Yorks., found this not proven.

A South Yorkshire Police disciplinary hearing gave Sgt Fitzgibbons a final written warning after ruling his comments to Officer A constituted gross misconduct.

Handing down the decision Stephen Chappell, chair of the disciplinary panel, said: “The panel has given due regard to the service of Sgt Fitzgibbons.

“The public was not involved in these allegations but the public would not want an officer to behave in this way.

“Sgt Fitzgibbons has said that he truly regrets his actions and shows such remorse.

“The panel concludes he has learnt a lesson from his actions, albeit at a late stage, and apologised to Officer A.

“The panel also notes the stance of Officer A. She wanted the behaviour to stop and it did.

“The finding of gross misconduct shows this conduct should not be tolerated.

“However the panel considers a decision short of dismissal, that a final written warning will be appropriate.”

Mr Chappell warned Sgt Fitzgibbons he could face the sack if he is found guilty of anymore breaches of conduct.

Earlier the panel said they could not prove that Sgt Fitzgibbons had used a sexual innuendo when he sent officer a text that said: “You must be getting old :D :D I won’t ask you what I do when you answer the phone then if you are not drunk;)”.

Stephen Morley, prosecuting on behalf of South Yorkshire Police, suggested the text was referring to masturbation.

However in his defence, the police officer said he was asking Officer A about her underwear.

In explaining the panel’s findings Mr Chappell said: “Sgt Fitzgibbons asserts the content of the text message was a reference to what Officer A was wearing and not what he was doing on the telephone.

“He says the innuendo allegation is misconceived.

“The panel have considered all the evidence in the bundle and evidence given by Sgt Fitzgibbons.

“The panel were not satisfied that the text should be interpreted as innuendo.

“Therefore this is not proven.

“For the avoidance of doubt it is right to find the panel did not place the same interpretation on the messages at the appropriate authority.”

Mr Chappell said the panel decided to find Sgt Fitzgibbons guilty of gross misconduct after taking into account the officer’s position as a temporary inspector at the time and the persistent questioning of what she was wearing.

He said: “Sgt Fitzgibbons held a position of responsibility and was line manager to Officer A.

“He therefore bears a high degree of responsibility for his actions given it was not a one off aberration and it occurred once a week for several months.”

Addressing the hearing before his fate was decided, Sgt Fitzgibbons said: “I would like to personally apologise to Officer A, I would like to apologise to the force, the public of South Yorkshire and my family for letting them down.

“I have learnt from this and can only offer my sincerest apologies and regret.”