A POLICE officer who is alleged to have made racist remarks is facing a gross misconduct hearing.

Police sergeant Andrew Hother, based in Worthing, is accused of behaving in a “bullying manner” towards his colleagues.

He is also accused of vaping inside police vehicles or at public locations while in uniform.

A notice on Sussex Police’s website says the officer faces the following allegations under the Police Conduct Regulations 2012:

  1. Between January 2019 and January 2020 behaved in a bullying manner towards colleagues;
  2. Between January 2019 and January 2020 made racist remarks to your colleagues and/or in the presence of members of the public; and
  3. On frequent occasions was seen vaping inside police vehicles or at public locations whilst in uniform

 

The meeting is due to be held in public, however at the direction of a legally qualified chair, it has been adjourned to a later day which is yet to be confirmed.

Misconduct hearings are held to present the facts of the case and allow the accused to give an explanation of their conduct and the circumstances surrounding the allegation.

Witnesses may also be called to give evidence.

This comes after The Argus revealed that many officers had been kicked out of the force without telling the public.

READ MORE: Sussex Police will not name officers dismissed for gross misconduct

Sussex Police were asked to state how many officers had been dismissed in private in recent years.

It responded that since 2015, there have been 16 hearings “held in private” and away from public view out of a total of 57.