Cambridgeshire Police officer given final warning after report of assault and further officer dismissed following racial comment to colleague

PC Dean Thompson, who is based in Fenland, was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Use of Force and Discreditable Conduct

The hearing, which was held at Lysander House, in Tempsford, last Tuesday (November 4), concluded that PC Thompson be given a final written warning.

The warning relates to an incident, in St Peter’s Church & Gardens, Wisbech, in which PC Thompson first remonstrated with a man making comments such as ‘name a place mate, come on, name a place’ and calling him a ‘pussy.’

He walked away from the man and turned his attention to the complainant saying to him ‘If you want a go mate, let me know, name a place. He then stood in close proximity to the complainant and forcefully pushed him to his chest causing him to fall from a bench onto the ground.

He then stood up and PC Thompson has continued to follow him and push him to the chest. Before walking away, PC Thompson said comments such as ‘anytime mate, let me know where you are.’

The reported assault was captured by mobile phone footage and circulated on social media. The footage was submitted to the police after the event in November 2024.

PC Thompson was charged with the offence of assault by beating and pleased not guilty. The incident occurred during a patrol in a park known for antisocial behaviour, where PC Thompson claimed he was verbally threatened and believed Jack Sanderson was about to assault him. He admitted to pushing Jack Sanderson but said it was a trained, open-palm technique used in self-defence. PC Dean Thompson was acquitted of assaulting Jack Sanderson following a trial at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court.

In coming to his decision Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Police Simon Megicks noted the impact of PC Thompson’s PTSD on his reaction.

Chief Constable Simon Megicks, who chaired the hearing, said: “There is no doubt that PC Thompson’s behaviour this day fell short of the standards we expect as a police force.

“However, I do accept that his actions were in pursuit of public good. I have determined that a final written warning, lasting five years, alongside a restriction on his working location, is an appropriate and proportionate outcome to maintain public confidence.”

Full details of the hearing outcomes can be viewed on the force website.

Cambridgeshire Police has also dismissed former officer PC Andrew Goodwin, who was based at Parkside Police Station, after he was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Equality and Diversity, Discreditable Conduct.

The hearing was held on the same day.

It was proven that PC PC Goodwin has used racial and sexually offensive language towards colleagues, whilst off duty, during a social outing with his team in London, using the word black c*** when referring to a black Muslim officer.

He was also found to have made direct comments to a female officer, regarding her appearance, specifically saying “your boobs and bum look really good in work uniform and that you look really fit.’

Chief Constable Simon Megicks, who chaired the hearing, said: “Racist and misogynistic behaviour or language has absolutely no place in policing, whether in the workplace or outside of it.

“Police officers are expected to lead by example at all times, on and off duty. Such conduct not only discredits the individual officer but undermines the integrity of the entire police force, eroding the trust and confidence that our communities place in us.

“We remain committed to holding our officers to the highest standards and will take decisive action where those standards are breached.”

Full details of the hearing can also be found on the force website.