Bedfordshire officer contacted women who blocked him, panel hears
A detective who repeatedly contacted women when they had asked him to stop would have been sacked had he not already retired, a hearing concluded.Det Insp Andy Southam joined Bedfordshire Police in 1997 and retired shortly before his misconduct panel this month.He faced allegations related to nine women he had met on a Christian dating website.On the first day of the panel he admitted to the accusations from seven women, which took place between 2015 and June 2022, as a result the panel did not pursue the accusations he denied any further.
The hearing found that Mr Southam had told the women he was a "high ranking" police officer to gain their trust.According to the women the officer had asked inappropriate comments about their bodies and sex acts.When the women asked him to stop contacting them he would continue to send them messages.
Controlling behaviour
One woman said she started a relationship with Mr Southam in June 2015, but she ended it and blocked him in January 2016 after he demonstrated controlling behaviour.He continued to contact her intermittently over the next six years.Another woman told Mr Southam to stop contacting her in July 2021, but when he continued she reported him to the police in September 2021 and he was arrested on suspicion of harassment.
Deputy Chief Constable Dan Vajzovic said: "This was a pattern of behaviours which was unwelcome, inappropriate and, at times, intimidating."His continued unwanted pursuance of females who had asked to be left alone will no doubt further erode the trust women and girls have in policing."Despite Mr Southam's cynical retirement immediately before the hearing it is right that we pursued this matter to its conclusion as this will ensure he is now barred from rejoining any police force."
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