Former Officer Would Have Faced Dismissal Over Conduct in Domestic Violence Training

An ex-police officer, who displayed behavior described as “in a manner indicative of boredom” by slouching in his seat during a domestic violence training session, would have faced dismissal if he had not resigned. Former PC Callum Hubbard participated in this course in January at Thames Valley Police’s (TVP) Sulhamstead training centre in Berkshire, alongside approximately 20 fellow officers. The session was conducted by officers and included the presence of a woman who had experienced domestic violence. A disciplinary panel, which included Thames Valley Police’s assistant chief constable Dennis Murray, determined that Mr. Hubbard’s actions, if left unaddressed, had the potential to inflict “significant harm” upon the force’s public image. The panel established that Mr. Hubbard uttered “inappropriate” comments, specifically remarking on the attire of a woman depicted in a video who had been violently assaulted. Furthermore, he stated that if the abuse had been severe, the woman would not have changed her top, as shown in the video. This, the panel concluded, “indicated a lack of understanding and empathy with the victim”. According to the force, during an ensuing investigation, Mr. Hubbard offered an apology and “spoke about a number of medical conditions which he said he might have and said that sometimes what he actually says does not come out as he intends.” He submitted his resignation from TVP in May, which became effective in June. Despite his apologies, the panel determined they were “less than full and frank.” Mr. Hubbard was absent from the hearing, which took place last week at TVP’s headquarters in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.