A folder on DC Thomas Sewell’s work laptop contained a 66-page document containing erotic stories and a work of fiction titled ‘White Male Juvenile’.
A misconduct hearing heard that during working hours he used his work laptop to research for the erotic writing, including looking at Wikipedia pages for ‘sex shows’, ‘pornography’ and ‘exhibitionism’.
DC Sewell began his career on the emergency response team but after being seriously whilst attending a disturbance at a pub he returned to work at the case progression unit as a detective and then as a tutor for new detectives.
He told the misconduct panel he was very sorry but explained that he did not have enough police work to do so he worked on his writing instead, which was an outlet for him.
The panel heard that the novel ‘White Male Juvenile’ contained grossly sexist, aggressive and sexual language but accepted that this was a work of fiction and did not reflect DC Sewell’s views.
Commander Katie Lilburn, chair of the misconduct panel, said: “I reject DC Sewell’s explanation that he was apparently keeping on top his work.
“It was his personal responsibility, if he had finished his work, to approach his line manager for other duties.
“Policing duties extend beyond a simple task orientated approach. DC Sewell should have told his supervisor that he needed more work.
“He is an experienced detective, a trainer of new recruits and therefore a role model. There is always more preparation or development that he could have used this time for. I reject his explanation as not credible.”
The panel concluded that DC Sewell should be dismissed without notice.
