Former police constable Robbie Wilson, who quit during the investigation into his behaviour, also massaged her shoulder, then touched her breast under her clothing.

He asked her to perform oral sex and, after she refused, placed her hand on his erect penis in a police car, it was said at the hearing that took place late last month.

During that night shift in July 2024, the pair had a conversation about her tattoo and she showed the former officer a picture of it.

During the hearing, the woman, referred to as PC A, latterly confirmed she also sent a picture of herself in lingerie.

She stated the former officer then asked her if she had any naked photos, which made her “feel uncomfortable” and she said “no”.

It was at that point that Mr Wilson moved his hand ‘unexpectedly’ under her clothing and caressed her left breast, the panel heard.

He is then alleged to have told the anonymous cop that “he had a hard on for her” before leaning in for a kiss.

She turned her head away and said she was not going to kiss him.

The misconduct hearing then heard PC A describe how Mr Wilson made a sexual request to her.

PC A felt uncomfortable by this, but said no and “laughed it off”.

“She stated he then told her to shut her eyes, and he placed her hand on his erect penis, stating that he had a ‘hard on’ and was asking her to touch it,” the panel heard.

“PC A stated she felt what was happening was wrong, she was shocked and pulled his hand away and placed it on the steering wheel.”

On a separate incident during Covid patrols in 2021, while crewed with ‘PC B’, Mr Wilson asked “how would you feel if I touched your leg” and moved his hand up and down his own thigh.

Later, he pulled into a rural layby and told her it was her “last chance to get in the back seat”, which the panel agreed could only sensibly be understood as an invitation to sexual activity in the back of the police car.

Mr Wilson maintained that his behaviour was always consensual between him and the respective parties.

He had applied unsuccessfully for the hearing to be held in private or with anonymity. He also failed to attend the misconduct hearing.

Robbie Wilson, who joined Thames Valley Police in May 2020, would have been sacked over gross misconduct had he not resigned, the panel concluded.

Thames Valley Police has also initiated the process of adding him to the College of Policing barred list.

After the hearing, deputy chief constable Ben Snuggs said: “The public rightly expects the highest standards from Thames Valley Police, and we have zero tolerance for misogynistic or sexist behaviour.

“We are committed to identifying and removing those who fall short of these standards, as shown by the action taken through our misconduct processes.

“We also provide training to all officers and staff so they understand the standards and behaviours expected of them, and encourage people to speak up if they witness inappropriate conduct.

“While the overwhelming majority of our officers and staff conduct themselves professionally and respectfully, there is no place for behaviour that undermines the trust and confidence of the communities we serve.”

The Dogs Trust has launched a national campaign called ‘If in Doubt, Keep Your Dog Out’ to highlight the risks, including hidden currents, pollution, and other hazards.

The charity hopes the campaign will prevent avoidable harm to both dogs and their owners.

Data from the RNLI reveals there were 308 dog-related water incidents across the UK between 2021 and 2025—more than one per week on average.

One-third of these incidents happened during the summer, when more people and pets are near canals, rivers and lakes.

Owen Sharp, chief executive at Dogs Trust, said: “One preventable water incident is one too many.

“We know these figures don’t tell the whole story, but every rescue is a reminder that calm-looking water isn’t always safe.

“Taking a few moments to assess the risks could save your dog’s life—and your own.”

How to keep my dog safe around open water

The Dogs Trust has created a Water Safety Checklist to help owners spot hazards before letting their dogs enter open water.

Before letting your dog into open water, Dogs Trust urges owners to check:

• Water quality – is it clear, clean and free from pollution?
• Current strength – is the water calm or fast-flowing?
• Exit points – can your dog easily get in and out?
• Presence of algae – look out for green scum or blooms.
• Water temperature – is the water likely to be cold?
• Presence of other wildlife – are there animals that may react to your dog?
• Nearby warning signs – follow any local advice.
• Depth – is it suitable for your dog’s size and swimming ability?
• Surroundings – any steep banks, slippery surfaces or loose rocks?

The majority of water incidents involved dogs entering the water and needing help, people entering the water to rescue them, and accidents caused by hidden dangers below the surface.

August 2025 recorded the highest number of water-related human fatalities, according to the Water Incident Database (WAID).

The Dogs Trust survey of 2,000 dog owners found that 74% felt confident in judging water safety for their pets.

However, only 35% realised that no type of open water can be considered entirely safe.

Worryingly, 80% of owners said they would go into the water to rescue their dog if it got into difficulty—despite the serious personal risk.

The ‘If in Doubt, Keep Your Dog Out’ campaign urges owners to stop, check and think before allowing their dog near open water.

It also warns against assuming that water is safe just because it appears calm.

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The campaign is part of a wider effort to promote responsible dog ownership.

The Dogs Trust and RSPCA have also launched the Dog Ownership Guide (DOG), developed following a national consultation with more than 36,000 public responses and input from over 30 organisations.

The guide defines responsible dog ownership and offers practical advice for owners at every stage.

Were you aware of advice to keep your dogs safe around open water? Let us know in the comments.