Neil Wilby Media

A visit to a “dogging” site in his patrol car has cost a police officer his job.

Dogging is an English slang term for engaging in sexual acts in a public or semi-public place or watching others doing so. There may be more than two participants; both group sex and gang banging can be included. As observation is encouraged, voyeurism and exhibitionism are closely associated with dogging.

A misconduct panel has found that PC Tony Hughes, an officer based in Chester with the British Transport Police (BTP), had “no policing purpose” for the visit to the subject location.

He was dismissed without notice after being found to have breached Standards of Professional Behaviour under Police Conduct Regulations.

During a three-day hearing at the BTP Regional office in York,  PC Hughes admitted breaching the force’s driving standards policy, but denied lying about why he had been removed from a force driving course. He also denied the ‘dogging’ allegation.

The independent panel found all allegations against him proven and the officer’s actions to amount to gross misconduct.

BTP’s Head of Professional Standards, D/Supt Peter Fulton, said: 

“Hughes used the force vehicles both in an unsafe and inappropriate manner, breaching several standards of professional behaviour that we expect of our officers.

“A thorough investigation was conducted by PSD which has resulted in the independent panel being able to make today’s decision.”

The activity of ‘dogging’, where individuals engage in sexual acts in a public or semi-public place or watching others doing so, is not a specific offence under criminal law in England and Wales.

Prosecution may, however, be possible for a number of offences such as exposure under section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, or for the common law offence of outraging public decency. 

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Page last updated: Wednesday 12th June, 2024 at 1345 hours

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