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."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin