Detective Sergeant Convicted Of Sexual Offences Banned And Dismissed From Policing

A detective sergeant from Greater Manchester Police locked up for sexual assaults on colleagues in Oldham has been sacked and barred from policing.

Richard Mills was dismissed at an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing yesterday.

This follows criminal proceedings against Mills, who was jailed for 18 months after he was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, by a jury verdict, in December last year. 

The convictions involved two incidents of forceful sexual touching in 2016 and 2020.  

In both cases, Mills grabbed his co-worker’s hand and forced them to touch his genitals over his trousers.  

His offending occurred when he was based in GMP’s Oldham District and in the Serious Crime Directorate at Nexus House in Tameside. 

Detectives within the Professional Standards Directorate began investigating Mills in 2016 following a report from a member of staff. He regained police attention in March 2023 after he made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature in an open working environment within earshot of several colleagues, sparking numerous complaints. 

Following this incident, officers spoke with 37 police officers or staff who worked alongside Mills, gathered testimonies, and significant evidence which supported criminal proceedings. 

In addition to the offences Mills was convicted, there were also numerous other allegations made against him that amounted to breaches of GMP’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour. 

Detective Superintendent David Jones, within the Professional Standards Directorate, said: “Our investigation into DS Mills uncovered alarming circumstances, whereby he preyed on women in the workplace who were simply just trying to do their jobs. 

“Mills sexually assaulted his colleagues, made inappropriate remarks of a sexual nature, and acted in a disgraceful manner. He abused his position in the force and the trust of his colleagues for his own perverse gratification. 

“Mill’s actions continue to have an adverse impact on many of our staff and officers who have been offered specialist support. 

"Irrespective of Mills inevitably being dismissed, given he is rightly currently serving a prison sentence as a convicted sex offender, it was important we still hold these proceedings to ensure he is not only dismissed from GMP but also placed on the barred list 

"Mills will never work in law enforcement again. 

“It is our hope today’s outcome provided closure to those who may have been seeking it, as well as reassurance that when allegations are raised, they will be thoroughly investigated and outcomes pursued. 

“The actions of Mill’s are reprehensible, and there is no place for him in policing. 

"We are committed to upholding the highest professional standards, and our dedicated team investigating internal matters are working tenaciously to root out offenders like Mills, who are interfering with the safety of our workplaces and unworthy of serving the public as part of Greater Manchester Police.”