Neil Wilby Media

Greater Manchester Police has sacked a serving officer at an accelerated misconduct hearing following an investigation into sexually assaulting a child whilst on duty.

PC Dean Dempster, 35, who was a response officer based in the Oldham district, was dismissed without notice on 2nd May 2024, and added to the College of Policing Barred List by Chief Constable Stephen Watson, who described Dempster’s actions as “morally reprehensible”.

The hearing at GMP Headquarters is the latest use by the force of accelerated proceedings as part of their pledge to ‘root and boot’ more officers unfit to serve the public more quickly.

Since 2021, GMP has ensured this process has been regularly deployed with almost four times as many accelerated hearings being held in the most recent 12-month period.

The chief constable will now be writing to the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, who has responsibility for policing oversight, to appeal for Dempster to lose his right to a police pension. 

Presiding over the misconduct hearing, CC Watson found PC Dempster’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct, saying: “This sexual assault occurred whilst the officer was on duty and where the victim  [a 6 year old girl] was totally trusting and reliant on him performing his duties professionally, compassionately and with her welfare uppermost in his thoughts. 

“It is this most egregious breach of trust of an innocent young child that is most upsetting aspect of this case and something that clearly amounts to an aggravating factor. 

“I consider this case to be among the most distressing ever presented to me such is the despicable betrayal of all that is inherent in being a decent police officer. 

“I have no hesitation whatsoever in dismissing PC Dempster from the service with immediate effect.”

Dempster was convicted in January, 2024 of sexually assaulting a young girl while responding to an incident on 29th December 2023. GMP received a complaint later that day and he was promptly arrested by a supervisor on the district when he returned to duty the day after.

A professional standards investigation followed – directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct – which led to his conviction at Liverpool Crown Court in February. He has remained suspended since being charged on 31st December 2023.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, Head of Professional Standards Directorate, said: “Dean Dempster is not a police officer, he’s a child sex offender who has no right to be in police uniform or in a position to serve the public.

“We have no time for people like Dempster who should not be in GMP and does not represent us.

“This is why we’re increasingly using accelerated misconduct hearings to root out and boot out officers who are unfit to serve in our uniform, and this work will continue while ever they remain.”

IOPC Regional Director, Catherine Bates, said: “PC Dempster’s actions were utterly appalling, and he is now facing the consequences.

“This investigation into his conduct was directed by the IOPC to provide independent oversight.

“GMP and IOPC investigators have worked quickly to safeguard a vulnerable victim and ensure PC Dempster’s prompt dismissal.”

Dean Dempster faces sentencing for his offence in June, 2024 at Liverpool Crown Court. He joined GMP in 2021 after serving as a special constable and ambulance service paramedic

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Page last updated: Saturday 4th May, 2024 at 0715 hours

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