Pubdate: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 Source: Bristol Evening Post (UK) Copyright: 2003 Bristol Evening Post Contact: http://www.nepmidlands.co.uk/thisis_general/redirects/bristolletts.html Website: http://www.epost.co.uk Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2412 CHARITY BALL COP BACK IN THE FORCE A Senior police officer made to resign after an inquiry into improper conduct at a charity ball has been allowed to rejoin the force after winning an appeal. Inspector Andy Roebuck will return to work with Avon and Somerset Police shortly, but only as a constable. He was one of ten police officers and civilian staff from Broadbury Road police station to attend last year's bash thrown by Knowle West Against Drugs (Kwads), a group of volunteers fighting drug abuse. Two weeks later, allegations were made that some of the police guests at the event started openly groping each other on the dance floor and simulated sex, and that the ball degenerated into a drunken orgy. The force conducted an inquiry that led to the resignation last year of Chief Superintendent Graham Cawley, district commander of south Bristol, and an unnamed constable. In April, an Avon and Somerset disciplinary panel found Mr Roebuck and another PC guilty of misconduct. Mr Roebuck was "required to resign" while the PC was given an undisclosed financial penalty. The investigation was headed by Assistant Chief Constable Andy Drane and was voluntarily referred to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), which oversaw the inquiry. Mr Roebuck appealed against the decision to a Police Authority tribunal, drawn up of people approved by the Home Office. Last week the tribunal overturned the original decision and ruled that Mr Roebuck should be reinstated as a police constable. He has agreed to return to work but the date and station he will work from have yet to be discussed, although a return to south Bristol has been ruled out. His reinstatement will be dated from April 8 this year, which means he will get eight months of constable's back pay. Avon and Somerset police have decided not to pursue a judicial review of the latest decision on legal advice. Mr Roebuck, who had been tipped for a bright future in the force, will now have the same chance as other constables to work his way up through the ranks. Knowle West resident Carol Casey, who was at the charity ball, said: "We all felt the right decision was made at the time." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin