Wayne Scott

A report into the conduct of former police constable Wayne Scott has revealed how his 'degrading behaviour' was allowed to flourish unchallenged within Cleveland Police for years, enabling a series of serious sexual offences. Scott, who joined the force in 2002, was convicted in 2013 at Newcastle Crown Court of raping two women and pleaded guilty to a sex offence involving a child. The offences spanned a 10-year period, during which Scott exploited his position to target vulnerable individuals.

The report, commissioned by Cleveland Police under the supervision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), highlighted numerous 'red flags' in Scott's behaviour that were ignored by colleagues. While working in Stockton and Hartlepool, Scott repeatedly bragged about his sexual activities, attempted to humiliate female colleagues, and preyed on vulnerable female offenders, demanding sex from them on several occasions. He kept a separate phone in his work locker to contact 'girlfriends' and played a disturbing 'rape game' where he would proposition women, including fellow officers, by asking if they were 'interested in him'.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Spittal issued a sincere apology on behalf of Cleveland Police, stating: 'I want to sincerely apologise to everyone who has been affected by the actions of Wayne Scott whilst he was a serving officer with Cleveland Police. It's clear from the findings that officers and staff felt unable or unwilling to challenge his sexual remarks and degrading behaviour at work.' The report noted that where incidents were reported, they were handled in isolation, failing to connect the patterns of abuse. Cleveland's Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger described Scott's behaviour as 'shocking' and 'disgusting', emphasising the need for swift implementation of the report's 15 recommendations, including better monitoring of officers in contact with vulnerable women such as sex workers and domestic violence victims.

Scott, from Stockton, was sentenced to 19 years in prison in December 2013 for his crimes, which could have been prevented had his colleagues intervened earlier. The force has since reviewed and changed its practices to address these systemic failings.