Police Interceptors Officer Engaged in Gross Misconduct, Barred From Service

A police officer featured on the Channel 5 series "Police Interceptors" has been found guilty of gross misconduct following a hearing where it was revealed he engaged in sexual activity with a junior colleague while on duty. Acting Sergeant Ben Sutcliffe, who served with Cleveland Police for 21 years, also took his police dog to illicit meetings with the probationary constable.

Sutcliffe and the officer, referred to as PC A, exchanged approximately 64,000 text and WhatsApp messages between July 2024 and November 2025. During this period, Sutcliffe engaged in sexual encounters with PC A, including incidents that occurred during his night shifts and involved him visiting her home.

Investigators discovered that the pair exchanged numerous sexually explicit photographs and videos while Sutcliffe was on duty. Messages also indicated that sexual activity had occurred in public places, though these instances were described as occurring while the officers were off duty.

Sutcliffe admitted to engaging in risky outdoor sexual activity, referencing such encounters in messages in August and October 2024, and enjoying the risk in December 2024. When suspicions arose in 2025, Sutcliffe denied a sexual relationship, claiming they were merely friends who went for dog walks and coffee. However, he simultaneously messaged PC A, urging her to "stick to the story and we won't get caught," a behavior described by the force as controlling and coercive towards a junior officer.

In addition to the sexual misconduct, Sutcliffe was found to have improperly briefed PC A about the arrest of another Cleveland Police officer at his home in July 2025, an action for which he had no legitimate policing reason.

Sutcliffe resigned from Cleveland Police in February. Following an accelerated misconduct hearing, Chief Constable Victoria Fuller ruled that Sutcliffe's conduct constituted gross misconduct. Had he still been a serving officer, Fuller stated, he would have been dismissed. Sutcliffe has been barred from the College of Policing register, permanently prohibiting him from serving with any police force.

Sutcliffe appeared in seasons 13 and 14 of "Police Interceptors," a documentary series that follows police forces across the UK. During his tenure, he worked with the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit. The hearing noted that while police officers are permitted to enter into relationships, Sutcliffe's conduct, particularly the on-duty sexual activity and deception, amounted to gross misconduct.

In a written submission to the hearing, Sutcliffe accepted his conduct was misconduct but argued it fell short of gross misconduct. He stated that his intention was not to deceive or misuse his position but to maintain privacy due to past negative experiences. He apologized for areas where he fell short and indicated he had reflected on his actions.

While Cleveland Police opted not to take disciplinary action against PC A, Chief Constable Fuller's ruling suggested that "the matters require further consideration by the appropriate authority," potentially indicating a review of that decision.