Misconduct panel finds officer rape allegation proven

A former police inspector with Derbyshire Police has been barred from the profession after a misconduct panel found he had raped a colleague.

Richard Booth was accused of taking part in a consensual sexual act with a junior colleague when he was a sergeant and of oral rape of another colleague while he was an inspector, which he denied.

A criminal investigation into the rape led to no further action due to "evidential difficulties", the force said. However, a gross misconduct hearing in June found the allegations were proven "on the balance of probabilities".

The misconduct panel concluded Booth would have been dismissed if he had not retired from the force in August 2025.

The panel, which took place at Derbyshire Police's headquarters from 1 to 5 June, heard the alleged incidents took place while the officer was on duty between 2007 and 2012.

Both complainants were granted indefinite anonymity, the force said.

A report of findings from the misconduct hearing - held at Derbyshire Police's headquarters - said the panel "found aspects of [Booth's] evidence inconsistent and less persuasive", in relation to all the allegations.

The panel found the former officer's conduct breached standards of professional behaviour and amounted to gross misconduct.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Shooter said: "The behaviour of Richard Booth betrayed the oath he made as a police officer.

"He used his position of power - as a sergeant and as an inspector - to target colleagues who were significantly junior to him and carried this out while on duty.

"The evidence put before the hearing, including the first-hand testimony of the two complainants, made it clear that the gross misconduct was found proven.

"Officers who abuse their position of trust, either with members of the public or with colleagues, have no place in policing and we will do all we can to root them out and ensure that there is no safe haven for them."

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