- David Broadway ‘would’ve been dismissed’ for misconduct if he hadn’t resigned
A police boss reported for sending unwanted sexualised messages after he led a talk on staff conduct following Sarah Everard‘s murder has quit before he could be sacked.
The female worker said David Broadway’s appearance at the event ‘smacked of double standards’ due to his behaviour towards her.
A disciplinary panel said the £80,000-a-year former head of justice at Gwent Police ‘would have been dismissed’ for gross misconduct had he not resigned.
The 51-year-old sent scores of ‘sexually suggestive’ texts commenting on the woman’s ‘sexy’ body and requesting sex, even though she told him she was in a relationship and asked him to stop.
She complained in August 2022 after discovering that Mr Broadway was leading a seminar with a discussion about inappropriate workplace messaging.
A police boss who led a talk on conduct after Sarah Everard’s death was reported for sending sex texts
The talk was one of a series held by the Gwent Police as part of efforts to rebuild trust in the police after Ms Everard’s murder in 2021 by Scotland Yard officer Wayne Couzens.
In May 2023, a second woman came forward with complaints about Mr Broadway, who was then suspended on full pay. A third complainant emerged later.
In a victim impact statement, the first woman said she had suffered ‘unbearable’ stress.
She said: ‘I still haven’t recovered from the effect and impact of his behaviour towards me and still have to take medication.
‘I am scarred by this harassment and I don’t know when or if I ever will fully recover.’
Gwent Police is understood to be holding an independent review of Mr Broadway’s 30-year employment history with the force during which his roles are understood to have included victim services.
A Gwent Police spokesman said: ‘The hearing chair found the former staff member would have been dismissed had he not resigned from his position ahead of the hearing.’
Outgoing Chief Constable Pam Kelly said: ‘I would like to pay tribute to the individuals who came forward. Their courage in speaking out has allowed us to take this action.
‘Both our communities and our staff deserve the highest of standards from all in our organisation.’
The allegations are the latest in a line of controversies at the troubled force.
Eleven current and former Gwent Police officers were investigated over WhatsApp messages which came to light after the death of retired officer Ricky Jones, who took his own life in 2020.
Members of Mr Jones’s family discovered the chats, which they said included horrific messages shared between officers ‘that were homophobic, racist, misogynistic and laid bare a deep-rooted, toxic culture within the force’.
David Broadway’s speech was one of a series held by the Gwent Police as part of efforts to rebuild trust in the police after Ms Everard’s murder in 2021
Three of those accused are facing gross misconduct charges.
Four more serving officers have also been accused of misconduct over the WhatsApp messages.
Two were handed written warning for failing to report the offensive messages, one was cleared of misconduct and a fourth officer was found to have breached rules over disclosing information and also handed a warning.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said cases against four other officers were either withdrawn or unable to proceed as they had left the force.
Mr Broadway, who has the right to appeal, has not commented.
His name will be added to the College of Policing’s ‘barred’ list which covers officers and staff who are dismissed or resign before a disciplinary hearing.
Such people are then blacklisted from working for police and crime commissioners, forces, watchdogs or inspection bodies.