A former police sergeant has been barred from working in policing again after making a transphobic comment and inappropriate sexual remarks.

Edward Ryan made the comments during a team social event in Bristol in April 2024, where colleagues had gathered outside work.

The transphobic remark made by Ryan came during a conversation about a television programme, and he also made several sexualised comments and gestures about a woman he knew outside work.

The behaviour took place in public, in front of colleagues, who reported it to the force’s Professional Standards Department within 48 hours.

A two-day misconduct hearing, chaired by former Assistant Chief Constable Craig Holden, began at police headquarters in Portishead on Monday, November 2.

The panel concluded that the allegations that Sgt Ryan had breached the standards of professional behaviour had been proven and they amounted to gross misconduct. 

It also ruled that Ryan would have been dismissed without notice, if he had not retired in August 2024.

A/Det Supt Will Thorpe, from the Professional Standards Department, said: ‘Sgt Ryan’s inappropriate behaviour and comments understandably shocked and appalled the police colleagues who were with him at the time.

‘Those other officers did the right thing in reporting what had happened. Their concerns have been treated seriously and have paved the way for us to take action against this former officer.

‘The public, rightly, expect officers to hold the highest standards of professionalism. This expectation applies equally to a person being on-duty, as well as off-duty.

‘Sgt Ryan’s conduct will inevitably negatively impact the public’s confidence in policing.

‘We hope the positive action taken by colleagues to report what happened, and the decision to prohibit him from working within law enforcement in future, sends a powerful message that there is no place in policing for anyone who displays discriminatory behaviour.’