Jason Brownlie Parker: Herts police officer dismissed after 'appalling' allegations of abuse and threats toward women

A former serving Hertfordshire police officer has been dismissed after he was said to have abused women across three decades.

Chief Constable Charlie Hall was part of a special case hearing after former officer Jason Brownlie Parker was accused of breaching the standards of professional behaviour.

Parker's behaviour is alleged to have involved verbal abuse, physical abuse, assault by strangulation, throwing items, damaging property, although the former policeman claimed the strangulation was consensual.

Herts Chief Constable Hall insisted during the hearing the former officer should be dismissed without notice.

"Such behaviour is appalling by any member of the public, let alone a police officer," thundered the Chief Constable, adding: "Whilst a criminal investigation has not been pursued, much of this behaviour arguably would fit with such an investigation.

"I have no hesitation in agreeing that his behaviour in these relationships is a clear breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour for discreditable conduct and authority, respect and courtesy, as he has admitted in respect of off duty behaviour. Police officers have a significant role in keeping people safe, and this includes within domestic situations.

"His behaviour in his relationships has been quite contrary to this and clearly brings discredit on the police service and has had the potential to undermine public confidence in policing. He has also not acted with self-control and tolerance, with his behaviour and language easily being perceived as abusive, oppressive, harassing, bullying and offensive.

"He has admitted these breaches in respect of the five women amount to gross misconduct. I completely agree with this and am in no doubt they are so serious as to amount to Gross Misconduct," Hall continued, adding: "At the heart of this behaviour and the predominant allegations have been domestic abuse. He has shown bullying behaviour towards a succession of partners, coercive control over who they see, what they are doing, who they talk to."

A report on the hearing states Parker accepted the allegations represent breaches of the standards of professional behaviour in regards to discreditable conduct and authority, respect and courtesy. 

Among the claims made by at least five separate women over a 28-year period, disgraced Parker was said to have engaged in regular physical abuse against victims, assault by strangling and constant verbal abuse - while also leaving individuals in large-scale debt, throwing items, damaging property and threatening suicide at the end of certain relationships - between 1993 and 2021.

According to the report published by the police force, the accounts give a clear pattern of behaviour that is verbally aggressive and abusive, extensive sulking, jealousy, a pattern of strangulation allegations, throwing items, physical aggression and a pattern of leaving many of these women in considerable debt as they have tried to support him through his own debt issues.

However, humiliated Parker is said to have resigned to pre-empt his sacking. Hall also called for Parker to be placed on a barred list to stop him from serving in another police force, or safeguarding role, across Hertfordshire and/or the country at large.

The officer failed to attend the hearing despite a number of chances to do so.

Parker admitted various parts of the allegations made by the women, speficially verbal abuse and throwing items. He has accepted strangulation in the relationship with Person A - but claims it was consensual.

Parker also accepts leaving Person C and Person D in debt, which he indicates he is paying off. Parker does not accept other aspects of the behaviour in the allegations.