Tom Simons

Introduction

Tom Simons is a former chief superintendent with Essex Police whose dismissal for sexual misconduct was reported by BBC News on 18 April 2025. A disciplinary hearing found the case for gross misconduct against him was proven, finding that he had abused his position for a sexual purpose with a colleague, and he was dismissed without notice. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said he had also engaged in sexualised behaviour at work with two colleagues and failed to disclose his relationship with a colleague when he knew he should do so. Simons denied all of the allegations, and although the IOPC conducted a full criminal investigation, it was decided that no criminal action would be taken.

Background Information

Simons held the rank of chief superintendent with Essex Police, one of the senior officer grades in British policing, before the misconduct case ended his career. Essex Police referred the case to the IOPC in March 2022, and Simons was suspended at the same time. The disciplinary hearing that followed was chaired by Bedfordshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy. As well as the findings about his conduct with colleagues, the panel found he had breached a number of professional standards.

The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation

Adjudicated vs. alleged. The findings in this section come from a police disciplinary panel applying the civil standard of proof — a regulatory finding, not a criminal conviction. The IOPC conducted a full criminal investigation and referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), but in June it was decided no criminal action would be taken. Simons denied all allegations.

According to the IOPC, Simons engaged in sexualised behaviour at work with two colleagues and failed to disclose his relationship with a colleague when he knew he should do so. The office said that despite being reminded about his behaviour, he continued to “behave inappropriately”. The case reached the IOPC through a referral from Essex Police in March 2022, when Simons was also suspended.

At the hearing, the panel found that Simons had abused his position for a sexual purpose with a colleague, and it also found he had breached a number of professional standards. The hearing, chaired by Bedfordshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy, found the case for gross misconduct was proven, and Simons was dismissed without notice. Essex Police said the IOPC conducted a full criminal investigation and that Simons was referred to the CPS, but in June it was decided no criminal action would be taken.

Public Reaction and Consequences

Essex Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “There is simply no place in policing for people who think, wrongly, that they can get away with sexual misconduct.” He added: “I pay tribute to the witnesses in this case and to those who supported them in coming forward.” “This case is particularly disappointing given the seniority of the former officer”, Harrington said.

IOPC director Emily Barry said: “Officers who abuse their position for a sexual purpose have absolutely no place in policing.” Barry said: “Despite being reminded about his behaviour and maintaining professional boundaries, Ch Supt Simons continued to behave inappropriately.” “He has deservedly lost his job and it’s behaviour like this that damages the public’s trust and confidence in police officers”, Barry added.

Simons was named publicly only after the hearing concluded. His name was placed on the College of Policing barred list, meaning he will never be able to join any UK police force.

Current Status

As of the April 2025 reporting, Simons has been dismissed without notice by Essex Police and his name is on the College of Policing barred list, so he can never join any UK police force. No criminal action was taken: the IOPC’s full criminal investigation was referred to the CPS, which decided in June not to pursue the case. The outcome against him is therefore the regulatory one — gross misconduct proven before a disciplinary panel — while Simons maintains his denial of all the allegations.

Impact on Their Career/Life

The dismissal ended Simons’ policing career at the rank of chief superintendent, and the barred listing means he cannot work for any UK police force again. His identity became public only once the hearing concluded, attaching his name to findings that he abused his position for a sexual purpose and engaged in sexualised behaviour at work. Harrington pointed to the seniority involved, saying: “This case is particularly disappointing given the seniority of the former officer”, while Barry said Simons had “deservedly lost his job” and that such behaviour damages public trust and confidence in police officers. The chief constable also credited the witnesses and those who supported them in coming forward.