Worthing Police Sergeant Dismissed For Gross Misconduct

A Sussex Police sergeant, based in Worthing, has been dismissed for breaching standards of professional behaviour.

Andrew Hother, 49, appeared at a four-day misconduct hearing last week, July 5th to the 9th, at Sussex Police HQ in Lewes.

The breaches were in respect of authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct, equality and diversity and orders and instructions.

PS Hother admitted the allegations and the panel, headed by an independent legally-qualified chair, found that two of the allegations amounted to gross misconduct and the last amounted to misconduct.

These were:

Between January 2019 and January 2020 he behaved in a bullying manner towards colleagues.

Between January 2019 and January 2020 he made racist remarks to his colleagues and in the presence of members of the public.

On frequent occasions he was seen vaping inside police vehicles or at public locations whilst in uniform.

The matters were described as very serious and he was dismissed from the force without notice.

Detective Superintendent Rachel Carr, head of the force's professional standards department, said:

"Sussex Police expects the highest personal and professional standards of anyone who works for us and any allegations of behaviour that do not meet those standards are rigorously investigated.

“This officer’s behaviour fell far short of the standards we expect at Sussex Police. He has let himself, his colleagues and the public down."