A North Wales police officer has been fired after a disciplinary panel found her guilty of gross misconduct for drunkenly groping colleagues and trying to kiss an inspector during a night out.
Details of the Misconduct Hearing
The hearing was told that the incidents involving PC Pamela Pritchard, 29, occurred during an evening at Caernarfon Rugby Club in March 2024. The panel heard evidence that Pritchard, while intoxicated, touched a male officer's groin area on two separate occasions and also grabbed a female colleague's breasts without consent.
One officer, referred to as PC B, stated he was groped "out of the blue" at the bar when Pritchard grabbed his genitals over his clothing. He testified that she repeated the act in the smoking area and at one point sat on his knee, put her hand around his neck, and kissed him without his permission. He told the panel she acted "as if she had carte blanche to do what she wanted."
A female colleague, PC A, described how Pritchard approached her from behind, put her arms under her armpits, and grabbed and squeezed her breasts. Pritchard also attempted to kiss a male inspector, Inspector Gareth Parry, who was forced to pull away. She further called another officer a derogatory name after making a sexually explicit comment to him.
Officer's Defence and Panel's Ruling
During the proceedings, Pritchard stated she was "mortified" when later informed of her actions and insisted she had no memory of the events due to her level of intoxication. She apologized to her colleagues, saying, "I am really sorry. I am so sorry." She claimed none of the contact was sexual in intent and suggested any touching was accidental, also stating CCTV showed a kiss was consensual.
Pritchard broke down, saying she had "let down the police force, myself, my friends and family and most of all I've let down my little girl." She also revealed the accusations left her feeling suicidal and that she was suspended just nine months into her probationary period.
However, North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop, who chaired the panel, dismissed pleas from her representative, Fiona Clancy, for a lesser sanction. The panel found the allegations proven on the balance of probabilities and concluded her conduct breached standards of authority, respect, and courtesy at a level of gross misconduct.
Dismissal Without Notice
ACC Allsop stated that allowing Pritchard to remain in the force would pose a "significant risk of reputational harm." He acknowledged officers can make mistakes but emphasized that her actions were so serious that "only the ultimate sanction is available."
Despite denying the allegations of misconduct and gross misconduct, Pamela Pritchard was dismissed from North Wales Police without notice. She was previously questioned under caution but faced no criminal charges. The panel's decision underscores the force's stance on maintaining professional standards and protecting its reputation.
