Former Devon and Cornwall PCs had 'sexual encounters' in marked vehicle

Devon and Cornwall Police has found two of its former police constables guilty of gross misconduct after they "engaged in sexual encounters" in a marked police vehicle.

The force said on-duty Steven Athawes knowingly planned to collect off-duty female officer Daria Krolewicz in May 2021 without a policing purpose.

The pair then engaged in sexual activity in a marked vehicle.

Athawes also reportedly informed his supervisor and his crew mate that he was on a medication run and unavailable for response calls.

Following the two-day public hearing, a misconduct panel concluded that the allegations were proven, and that PCs Athawes and Krolewicz had breached the expected standards of professional behaviour.

Had the officers still been serving, the panel determined they would have been dismissed without notice.

Their details will now be submitted to the College of Policing Barred List.

Head of Professional Standards Superintendent Jo Arundale said: "Through their actions, the officers undermined the public's trust and confidence in the police force and did not fulfil their duties and responsibilities.

"Such behaviour will not be tolerated within policing."