A Greater Manchester Police detective has been formally dismissed from the force and barred from ever returning to policing after being convicted of two counts of sexual assault.
Detective Sergeant Richard Mills, previously based in GMP’s Oldham District and the Serious Crime Directorate at Nexus House, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in December 2024 following a jury verdict.
An Accelerated Misconduct Hearing held today (16 April 2025) concluded with Mills’ immediate dismissal and permanent addition to the policing barred list.
The offences related to incidents in 2016 and 2020, during which Mills forcefully took female colleagues’ hands and made them touch his genitals over his clothing. These actions were deemed predatory and a clear abuse of his authority within the workplace.
The force’s Professional Standards Directorate launched its investigation into Mills in 2016 after an initial report was made by a colleague. Further scrutiny resumed in March 2023, when Mills made inappropriate sexual comments in an open-plan working environment. This prompted a wave of complaints and a full-scale inquiry.
In total, 37 staff and officers were interviewed, and a body of evidence was gathered which supported both the criminal case and the internal misconduct proceedings.
Detective Superintendent David Jones, of GMP’s 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.
“Although Mills is currently serving a custodial sentence, it remained essential that formal misconduct proceedings were carried out to ensure he is permanently dismissed from the force and barred from policing.”
In addition to the convictions, GMP revealed there were numerous further allegations against Mills which constituted breaches of the force’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour.
“It is our hope today’s outcome provides closure to those who may have been seeking it,” added Supt Jones, “as well as reassurance that when allegations are raised, they will be thoroughly investigated and outcomes pursued.”
He concluded: “There is no place for offenders like Mills in policing. We remain fully committed to upholding the highest standards and ensuring the safety and integrity of our workplaces.”
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