An editor has hailed a ‘win for transparency’ after a senior police officer who ‘preyed’ on female colleagues was finally named.

As previously reported on HTFP, a disciplinary hearing outlining allegations of misconduct against the Essex Police officer went ahead last month despite calls from Essex Live for it to be heard in public.

But the order to keep the officer’s identity secret was eventually overturned and he has now been named as Chief Superintendent Tom Simons.

Simons, who had previously been Essex Police’s lead for domestic abuse, has now been dismissed from the force after being found to have had inappropriate sexual contact with female colleagues.

The former officer was said to have taken advantage of his high rank for a sexual purpose and was described at the hearing as having “preyed” on women.

He was dismissed without notice and will also be placed on the policing barred list, meaning he cannot serve as a police officer again.

The gross misconduct hearing was chaired by assistant chief constable John Murphy of Bedfordshire Police, who had decided that it should take place in private to protect the anonymity of the individuals who had complained about the behaviour of the former officer.

However these restrictions were lifted after a submission from EssexLive, with the backing of Essex Police themselves.

Essex Live editor Katrina Chilver, pictured, hailed the decision as a “win for transparency” and praised the work of reporter Matt Lee, who covered the case.

Posting on LinkedIn, she wrote: “I am so pleased that due to the hard work of the always determined Matt Lee, as well as the fantastic support from the Essex Police team, the order to keep the police officer’s identity private was eventually overturned.

“The allegations were serious – and even more so due to his senior role in the force. It would have been an incredible misjustice if this was kept private. This is a win for transparency.

“It was reassuring to see chief constable Ben-Julian ‘BJ’ Harrington QPM taking such a strong stance against this.”

Chief constable Harrington said: “There is simply no place in policing for people who think, wrongly, that they can get away with sexual misconduct.

“It’s super-clear in Essex; if you speak up, you’ll be listened to and there will be action to help you. But if you try to get away with sexual misconduct or the kind of abhorrent behaviour we have seen in this case, we’ll catch you. We’ll investigate you and if allegations are proved then we’ll do everything in our power to make sure you never work in policing again.

“I will be completely frank. This case is particularly disappointing given the seniority of the former officer.

“I would like to thank the professional journalists who have reported on this important matter so responsibly; you are helping to shine a light on a serious case while rightly protecting the anonymity of a number of people who so bravely spoke-up.”

Simons was found to have abused his senior position for a sexual purpose in relation to one woman, to have had sexual contact with women while on duty, to have touched a colleague inappropriately, and failed to disclose his relationship with a woman.

His conduct, which he denied, related to two female colleagues and was found to have breached police professional standards of behaviour relating to integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct, which investigated the case, also supported the lifting of the naming ban.

Its director Emily 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.”