A detective sergeant who told a junior officer he “wanted to snog her face off” and “loved her” has been sacked from Sussex Police.

Jason Hoadley, from Eastbourne, was accused of trying to make advances on a newly recruited female officer over four months.

The behaviour included touching the officer’s thigh at a social event, trying to kiss her and sending multiple messages saying she was “gorgeous”.

She is being referred to as PC A.

The misconduct hearing was held yesterday and today at Sussex Police HQ in Lewes.

All the incidents are said to have happened while the team of officers were out drinking alcohol for social occasions or in private text messages from Hoadley to PC A, who joined Sussex Police in May 2021.

The incidents happened between September and December 2021.

The Argus: Sussex Police HQ in LewesSussex Police HQ in Lewes (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

DS Hoadley believed the actions were consensual and “did not recall” some of the comments he made about her appearance or saying he “loved her”.

The father-of-two admitted his actions were “inappropriate” but thought that PC A “reciprocated” such as on a team curry night when he touched her thigh.

The disciplinary panel said on the balance of probabilities that it thought she “did not touch DS Hoadley and it was not consented by her” for him to touch her on that night on September 14, 2021.

DS Hoadley kissed PC A later that night when they parted ways at Eastbourne railway station.

PC A had spoken with him privately at work that she did not want things to go further.

“PC A had asked him to stop but he continued”, the panel said.

None of the incidents took place at work and DS Hoadley was described as professional in the workplace.

There were two character references from senior officers within the force supporting DS Hoadley.

One of them said that it “could not be more out of character” and was a “moment of madness” from him.

DS Hoadley said to the panel that he would like reiterate that he accepted that he breached the codes of conduct but asked for another chance as an officer of 23 years “who would like to continue serving the public”.

The panel considered three options, a rank reduction, final written warning or dismissal from Sussex Police.

The panel said that the “only appropriate outcome is dismissal”.

Hoadley was dismissed from the force and placed on the College of Policing Barred list which will prevent a return to policing.

Superintendent Petra Lazar, deputy head of Professional Standards said: “Sussex Police expects the highest personal and professional standards of anyone who works for us and the actions of this officer in this case fell short of those standards.

“We are ensuring that all staff are aware of appropriate professional boundaries and have invested in a comprehensive programme of cultural change towards challenging, reporting and tackling unethical or unprofessional behaviour.

"Such behaviours have no place in Sussex Police and this has been reflected in the outcome of the hearing today."