Top cop sacked over inappropriate sexual advances towards two Northumbria Police workers; Former Northumbria Police chief inspector Mark Anastasi found found to have committed gross misconduct and was immediately dismissed.
Byline: Keiran Southern
A senior police officer has been sacked for the second time after he made inappropriate sexual advances towards two femaleNorthumbria Policeemployees.
Chief inspector Mark Anastasi made the approaches between February 2012 and June 2013 while working for the force.
A misconduct hearing held at Fenham Barracks inNewcastle- the second hearing over the allegations - was told Anastasi made unwanted advances on one police worker and touched the breast of another.
The disgraced officer denied the allegations but a panel returned a result of gross misconduct and Anastasi was dismissed from the force with immediate effect.
Detective superintendent Janice Hutton, head of Northumbria Police's professional standards department, said: "No-one should come to work and be subject to this sort of behaviour by a colleague, let alone a supervisor.
"It is completely unacceptable and this has been reinforced by the decision of the panel.
Police worker said she felt 'embarrassed and awkward' after top cop made 'unwanted advances'
"I would like to stress this is an isolated case and the public should be reassured the majority of officers and staff work above and beyond the standards expected.
"This has been a difficult time for those who have been involved and I am grateful for the support they have given to this process.
"The rest of our workforce should be reassured we will always take the relevant action when the behaviour of their colleagues falls below the standards they and the public should expect."
The panel heard Anastasi made unwanted advances on a Northumbria Police employee between February and September 2012.
Anastasi told the woman she looked "sexy" and regularly complimented her appearance, the misconduct hearing was told.
It was said he would sit himself next to her so their legs were touching, despite her making it clear she was not interested.
And on one occasion Anastasi put his hand on the woman's thigh, the panel heard.
The victim, giving evidence via video link, said: "We would be talking in meetings and he...
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