Hastings detective ‘pinged ruler across colleague’s buttocks’ and sent her inappropriate messages

DS Paul Elrick, 48, faced three allegations of breaching police standards of professional behaviour at a hearing on Tuesday (November 24), all relating to his behaviour towards a female colleague.

He admitted misconduct but a panel found his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct, and he was issued with a final written warning.

The hearing heard DS Elrick sent Facebook messages of a sexual nature to a female colleague – referred to as PC X to protect her identity – at around 1.16am on March 30, 2020, which she felt were inappropriate and unwanted.

On June 16, DS Elrick then made inappropriate comments to PC X and ‘pinged a ruler across her buttocks’ while they were both on duty.

Later the same day, DS Elrick squeezed PC X’s shoulders and tickled her, which was not wanted and was considered by PC X to be inappropriate.

At a hearing on Tuesday, DS Elrick – who has served the police for 24 years and in Hastings since 2001 – accepted the allegations against him and apologised to the panel for his behaviour. He described the wording in his messages as being ‘crass’ and as something that belonged on the school playground.

DS Elrick told the hearing he ‘deeply regretted’ his actions on June 16 but insisted he was not acting on ‘a sexual desire or motivation’.

Providing evidence to the hearing, PC X described DS Elrick’s messages as ‘awkward’, but said she put them down as being a ‘one-off’.

She said the complaints against the detective sergeant were filed by a third party, adding she would have no problem working with DS Elrick – whom she described as being a friend – again in the future.

Robert Talalay, who brought the allegations against DS Elrick on behalf of Sussex Police, said DS Elrick’s conduct was very serious and could cause ‘harm to the integrity of Sussex Police’. He called on the panel to dismiss DS Elrick from the force.

The hearing also heard from a detective inspector and two police constables who have worked for DS Elrick. They all described him as someone who acts in a professional manner and said he still ‘has a lot to offer Sussex Police’.

Adam James, solicitor for DS Elrick, said his client accepted full culpability for his behaviour and had shown ‘genuine remorse’ for his actions.

Muzamil Khan, chairman of the panel – which also included chief superintendant Westerman as chief officer and Helen Elliot, the independent member – said DS Elrick would receive a final written warning.

After the hearing, DS Elrick addressed the panel and said: “I would like to sincerely apologise that my actions have caused you to waste your time this afternoon.

“I will strive to be a better officer and I have learnt a very valuable lesson.

“Thank you for this second chance. I will not disappoint you.”

DS Elrick joined the police in February 1996, and moved to Eastbourne police station in 1997. He joined Hastings in 2001 where he has worked with the custody team and also in the response unit. He joined the criminal investigation department (CID) as a sergeant in April 2019.