PC dismissed following misconduct hearing after assaulting child

A police officer has been dismissed after a misconduct panel found he assaulted a child by spanking her bare bottom on numerous occasions.

A misconduct hearing, which concluded on Friday, 27 September, found that PC Ross Benson, attached to the North West Basic Command Unit, breached the standard of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct at the level of gross misconduct.

He was dismissed without notice.

The misconduct hearing panel, led by an independent chair, examined allegations that between April 2018 and August 2018 PC Benson administered spankings to a girl, while she was aged between 12-13 years old, and there was a sexual element to them.

The girl was known to him and the spankings happened when he was off-duty.

On 6 November 2020, PC Benson was arrested by Bedfordshire Police on suspicion of sexual assault. In September 2021 he was informed no further action would be taken.

Bedfordshire Police contacted the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards and a misconduct investigation was launched.

Detective Superintendent Will Lexton-Jones, the acting the North West Basic Command Unit Commander, said: “My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim who displayed courage in reporting this. PC Benson’s abhorrent behaviour has led to his immediate dismissal, which is a decision I fully support.

“I hope this outcome demonstrates how we are rooting out those who do not demonstrate the high standards we demand from our officers.”

Following the hearing PC Benson will now be placed on the barred list held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies (PCCs), the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.