A THIRD police officer from the same police station is to face a misconduct hearing over sex claims.

Former Detective Constable Damien Cotgreave will face the Sussex Police disciplinary panel into claims of misconduct today.

He faces 21 charges which include engaging with 12 women on social media on his phone while on duty.

Some of the conversations were alleged to have been “inappropriate” and “sexual” in nature.

He is also accused of spending an hour with a woman and engaging in “sexualised behaviour” while on duty.

The former detective is the third officer from Hastings police station to face a misconduct hearing in less than a month.

Previously Detective Sergeant Paul Elrick was given a final written warning for “pinging” a colleague’s buttocks with a ruler and making suggestive comments and messages.

He admitted: “The comments are crass. They are immature and school ground wording of which I’m not proud.

“I fully accept my professional duties could be compromised by acting with stupidity.”

His colleague said she called DS Elrick out on the comments immediately and thought they had moved on, as they have been working colleagues for many years.

DS Elrick said they shared a dark humour together but admitted he crossed the line.

He said: “At no point throughout all the acts was there any sexual motivation. We have known each other for so long and the lines were blurred between professional responsibility and schoolboy behaviour that I take full responsibility for.”

Then earlier this month Sergeant Rob Adams was found guilty of gross misconduct after putting the face of a female colleague over a pornographic image of a naked woman.

PS Adams, who is married, was also given a final written warning. It was revealed he also had a sexual relationship with a junior colleague, but will remain on the force.

Now former DC Damien Cotgreave faces allegations.

Sussex Police said: “It is alleged that he engaged in conversations via social media with 12 female members of the public using his personal mobile telephone, whilst on duty, over a period of several months from December 2019 to February 2020.

“Some of these conversations included inappropriate content, such as sexual images or exhibits, or were sexual in nature.

“On one occasion, the officer is alleged to have attended the address of one female for in excess of one hour whilst on duty, for a non-policing purpose, and engaged in sexualised behaviour.

“On another occasion, he is alleged to have failed to act when the female he was corresponding with made threats to self-harm.

“One of the allegations involves off-duty conduct.”

It is claimed he broke the rules of professional conduct in the categories of “discreditable conduct”, “duties and responsibilities” and acting with “authority, respect, and courtesy”, and broke rules regarding confidentiality.

The case against him claims his actions may therefore amount to gross misconduct.

A full hearing is expected to take place at Sussex Police headquarters in Lewes later today.