Top Tameside Cop barred from policing after sending picture of penis to junior colleague

A former senior Greater Manchester Police officer who once led GMP’s Tameside division has been permanently barred from policing after a misconduct panel found he sent unsolicited messages and photographs to a female colleague over an eight-month period.

Robert Cousen was dismissed at a misconduct hearing held at GMP Force Headquarters on Monday 1 December 2025. Although he had already taken early retirement the day before, the panel ruled that he would have been sacked had he still been serving.

The hearing heard that Cousen obtained the personal phone number of a female officer and went on to send her a series of text messages, including requests to meet outside working hours. Between February and May 2022, he also sent her unsolicited photographs.

Cousen was suspended from duty in October 2022 and referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC’s first investigation concluded in October 2023, with a second investigation opening in May 2024 and concluding in September that year, prompting misconduct proceedings to restart.

Former Chief Constable Debbie Tedds, who chaired the hearing as an independent panel member, found Cousen’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct, breaching the police standards of Integrity, Equality and Diversity, and Authority, Respect and Courtesy. She ordered that his name be placed on the College of Policing Barred List, preventing him from ever returning to policing in the UK.

Cousen submitted his notice for early retirement on 24 October 2025 and officially left the force on 30 November, just one day before the misconduct hearing.

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods condemned the former senior officer’s behaviour, saying: “Rob Cousen’s actions were totally out of order, and it is right that this process has resulted in the end of his policing career. Frankly, this behaviour is far from the standard expected of any GMP officer, but particularly one who holds a rank where strong and professional leadership is the most fundamental requirement.”

He also praised the female officer involved: “I want to pay tribute to the female officer for having the courage to come forward and report this.”

Cousen, who rose through the ranks to command GMP’s Tameside division, repeatedly denied the allegations for two years before admitting to the misconduct shortly before the hearing. DCC Woods acknowledged the IOPC’s frustration over the lengthy process, noting that Cousen’s late admission further delayed the outcome.