A POLICE officer who was investigated over allegations of abusing his position for a sexual purpose has been dismissed from the force.

PC Oliver Norris, aged 34, was investigated following allegations that he abused his position for sexual purpose in relation to his contact with two women in 2016 and 2017.

There were two allegations made against the officer, both relating to inappropriate relationships with women while working.

The first woman he entered into an inappropriate relationship he met while on duty between January 2016 and November 2017.

The second, involving another woman, was between September 2016 and November 2017.

An investigation conducted by the IOPC found evidence of a case to answer, for gross misconduct, for PC Norris for breaching police standards of professional behaviour.

Lancashire Constabulary agreed with the findings and scheduled a gross misconduct hearing to take place between 21 and 23 July.

The police panel overseeing the hearing, including an independent legally qualified chair, found PC Norris had committed misconduct with regard to his contact with one of the women and gross misconduct with regard to his contact with the second woman. The panel dismissed the officer from the force with immediate effect.

IOPC Regional Director Amanda Rowe: “PC Norris breached police professional standards of behaviour not once, but twice; using his role to actively engage with two women. Such behaviour – an abuse of his position for sexual purpose – has no place in policing, and the panel’s decision shows that such actions will not be tolerated.

“We are working hard to ensure police forces refer all allegations of abuse of position for sexual purpose to us, and we will continue to provide guidance and knowledge to help identify this abuse of trust as early as possible.”

Det Ch Insp Jon Clegg, of Lancashire Police’s Professional Standards Department, said: “We strongly disapprove of the actions committed by this individual as we expect the highest standards of our officers and staff and the vast majority adhere to these standards.

"Where the standards of professional behaviour are breached we will take robust action as we have done in investigating and presenting this case.”