Sussex Police constable Peter May was sacked after a misconduct panel found he used his position to pursue a sexual relationship with a vulnerable young woman he had arrested for suspected drug-driving.
A Sussex Police officer has been dismissed without notice after a misconduct hearing found he tried to begin a sexual and improper relationship with a 19-year-old woman he had arrested.
PC Peter May, 43, was found to have exchanged inappropriate WhatsApp messages with the woman, known as Person A, after stopping her car in Bognor in December 2023.
The officer carried out a roadside drug test, which returned a positive reading for cannabis, and the woman was arrested and taken into custody. Her blood test later came back negative, and the investigation was closed, but PC May continued to contact her.
The misconduct panel heard that between March and May 2024, he used his personal phone to send a series of messages suggesting they meet up and offering her a place to stay at his house. Messages included: “Don’t feel pressured at all beautiful”, “Sweet dreams xx”, and “You don’t have to marry me btw! It could just be a bit of fun.”
The panel found that the exchanges were motivated by a desire to pursue a sexual and improper relationship with a vulnerable person, adding that his behaviour was harassing and predatory in nature.
Chairing the panel, Assistant Chief Constable Tanya Jones said the conduct breached multiple Standards of Professional Behaviour — including Discreditable Conduct, Honesty and Integrity (Lack of Integrity only), Authority, Respect and Courtesy, and Duties and Responsibilities.
The panel ruled that the officer’s actions were a serious abuse of position for a sexual purpose, describing it as a form of serious corruption under the College of Policing guidance.
They noted that the officer showed “a clear lack of insight” into the power imbalance between himself and the young woman, and had failed to recognise her vulnerability.
The hearing concluded that only dismissal could maintain public confidence and uphold professional standards. PC May was therefore dismissed without notice for gross misconduct.
