By Tony O’Reilly-
A police force is facing renewed scrutiny and public criticism after one of its officers was accused of groping female officer during an off-duty gathering held at a private venue earlier this year.
The allegations, which emerged following an internal complaint filed by two junior officers, have triggered both a criminal investigation and a professional-standards review, raising difficult questions about workplace culture, misconduct reporting, and the treatment of women within policing.
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A female police officer from North Wales, put her hand over a colleague’s groin twice and tried to kiss him at a drunken party, a misconduct hearing has been told.
PC Pamela Pritchard, of North Wales Police force, is also alleged to have groped a male colleagues groin twice and tried to kiss him, and grabbed a female colleague’s breasts.
Senior leadership within the force confirmed that they are treating the matter with “the utmost seriousness,” emphasising that inappropriate behaviour of any kind, particularly behaviour with sexual overtones, is incompatible with the standards expected of serving officers.
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The incident reportedly occurred at an informal celebration organised by members of the operational support unit. Around 40 officers were present at the event, held in a rented function room attached to a suburban sports club. Witnesses have described the atmosphere early in the night as light-hearted and relaxed, with music, food and drinks being served.
A panel consisting of Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop and two lay members from outside the police force was told that a large group of officers had gathered at the rugby club on 29 March 2024 for the leaving do of a colleague who was transferring to another force.
Among them was PC Pritchard and another male officer, identified to the hearing as “Police Constable B”.
PC B told the hearing that he and another female colleague were at the bar with PC Pritchard when “out of the blue, PC Pritchard grabbed me below the belt and put her hand on my genitals outside my clothing”.
“To no extent was it appropriate – I felt kind of humiliated at that point.”
Later, a group of officers went outside to the smoking area.
“She did the same thing again,” PC B said. “She grabbed my genitals outside my clothes and I distinctly remember her squeezing them.”
He told the panel her behaviour was “becoming more and more unacceptable”.
PC B added: “I never gave her any permission to do that. I was in a relationship at the time.
“She behaved as if she had carte blanche to do what she wanted.”
But PC Pritchard’s barrister Fiona Clancy suggested PC B had been “teasing her and interfering in her love life” during the night out.
The panel also heard from a female officer, PC A, who claimed she was groped by her colleague.
From Behind me
PC A said: “PC Pritchard came up from behind me, put both her arms around my neck, then put them under my armpits and grabbed my breasts and squeezed them.”
In her own evidence, PC Pritchard said she was “mortified” at being told about her drunken antics, which included “twerking” on the dancefloor.
She claimed she had “no recollection” of groping PC A and PC B during the night out.
The North Wales Police officer said: “My behaviour that evening was inappropriate, I’ve never acted like that before. I’m absolutely mortified at the allegations.
“The statements and the CCTV that I have seen and heard that’s not who I am. I am not that person – I don’t recognise myself on that CCTV.
“I would never mean to offend anyone. I am not that kind of person I am a good person.”
She also broke down in tears as she told how she “let down the police force, myself, my friends and family and most of all I’ve let down my little girl”.
PC Pritchard added: “Please don’t think I’ve gone away and I haven’t thought about this from the moment I woke up to the moment I go to sleep.”
The panel heard she told one officer at the party: “I’m the biggest lesbian here and I’ll fight any man.”
But she told the tribunal: “I am straight. I am not a lesbian.”
The charges state: “During the evening, you made inappropriate physical contact with two colleagues, neither of whom consented to this contact, either expressly or implied.
“You used insulting and inappropriate words/language towards two colleagues.
“You attempted to kiss another colleague causing him to pull away from you. This was unsolicited and inappropriate.”
PC Pritchard denies the allegations and the hearing in Colwyn Bay police HQ continues.
Biggest Lesbian
She also shouted out “I’m the biggest lesbian here and I’ll fight any man” during the bash.
The mum-of-one is further accused of trying to kiss a male inspector – “causing him to pull away.”
PC Pritchard denies breaching standards of professional behaviour and also denies gross misconduct from the bash in March 2024.
According to several attendees, the tone shifted rapidly when the accused officer, who had already been drinking, began behaving in a way that made some colleagues uncomfortable.
Two women later told investigators that the officer approached them on the dance floor and touched them inappropriately without consent. Both said they stepped away immediately, but according to their statements, the officer followed them and attempted to engage again, prompting one colleague to intervene.
Another witness reported seeing him approach a third woman at the bar, placing his hand on her lower back in a manner she later described as “unwelcome and persistent.” It is understood she did not file a formal complaint but provided a statement when contacted by investigators.
After the initial complaint was submitted, senior officers moved quickly to gather accounts from those who attended the event. Several confirmed that they had seen behaviour that made them uncomfortable, while others said they had not observed the incidents directly but were aware of tension toward the end of the evening.
The officer under investigation has denied the allegations. The case comes at a time when police forces across the country are facing increased pressure to confront inappropriate behaviour within their ranks and to improve reporting pathways for victims of workplace harassment. Advocacy groups have been quick to argue that incidents like this highlight persistent cultural problems that cannot be resolved by disciplinary action alone.
Interviews conducted as part of the investigation have shed light not only on what happened that night but also on the broader challenges junior officers face when reporting misconduct involving colleagues—particularly colleagues of higher rank or longer service.
One of the complainants stated that she hesitated before formally reporting the incident, worried that doing so might affect her career progression or invite criticism within the team. It was not until she confided in a colleague, who encouraged her to come forward, that she felt able to submit a statement. Her account was followed shortly afterwards by the second complainant.
Other witnesses expressed similar fears during their interviews. Some said they were unsure whether they should speak up because the incident happened off duty, even though the gathering was attended almost entirely by colleagues and senior officers.
A few noted that alcohol-fuelled misconduct at social events had, in past years, been overlooked or brushed aside as “banter,” creating an environment where victims felt reporting would not be taken seriously. A senior inspector overseeing the early stages of the inquiry acknowledged that this hesitation is itself a cause for concern. He said that while the immediate focus is on determining whether a criminal offence took place, leadership is equally committed to understanding why several officers felt conflicted about reporting their concerns.
The investigation team has invited all attendees to provide written accounts, and a number of officers have participated in follow-up interviews. Legal representatives for the accused officer have stated that he will cooperate fully and that he maintains he did not act inappropriately.
In the weeks since the allegations became public, the police federation representing the force’s officers has emphasised that it supports a thorough and fair inquiry. It has also called for better education around professional boundaries, responsible social conduct, and reporting obligations.
Federation officials have said they recognise the distress such cases cause both for the individuals directly affected and for the wider workforce.Some retired officers have voiced frustration that episodes like this perpetuate negative public perceptions about policing. They argue that the vast majority of officers behave professionally, but incidents involving misconduct overshadow daily work carried out with integrity. Others counter that acknowledging such harm and confronting it openly is essential for public trust.
The force has already announced that it will be reviewing internal policies about alcohol-related gatherings, mentoring for junior staff, safeguarding, and the ramifications of inappropriate behaviour during off-duty events. Leadership has also signalled an interest in bringing in external partners to deliver additional training on harassment and consent.
The case is unfolding at a particularly challenging moment for policing nationwide. In recent years, numerous high-profile incidents of misconduct have eroded public confidence and placed unprecedented pressure on forces to demonstrate meaningful cultural reform. Advocates argue that whether the allegations are ultimately substantiated or not, the willingness of the complainants to come forward indicates a shift in attitudes within the profession—and provides an opportunity to strengthen institutional safeguards.
Women working in policing have been increasingly vocal about the need for clearer reporting pathways, stronger protection against retaliation, and leadership that actively promotes respectful workplace environments.
Several have warned that while major reforms have been promised, progress remains uneven, particularly in regional forces where long-standing social dynamics within teams may discourage challenging behaviours.
Experts in workplace harassment say the fact that this incident occurred in a social setting does not diminish the seriousness of the allegations. Events attended exclusively or primarily by colleagues, especially where power dynamics between attendees vary, create environments where lines can become blurred making clear policy messaging essential.
They note that organisations must ensure staff understand that professional standards apply regardless of location or occasion.
As the investigation continues, public attention has turned to what the outcome means for the wider conversation about policing culture. If charges are brought, the case may become a defining test of how effectively forces handle internal sexual misconduct allegations.
Meanwhile, colleagues across the force have expressed sympathy for those involved. Many describe feeling saddened that a night intended to boost morale and camaraderie has resulted in distress, division and intense public scrutiny. Others have said it has reinforced the importance of challenging inappropriate behaviour early and supporting those who feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
The woman who first came forward is now receiving ongoing support from trained liaison officers. A spokesperson for the force said that ensuring her wellbeing, and the wellbeing of all those who came forward, remains a priority. They acknowledged that coming forward in such circumstances takes “significant bravery,” especially in a profession where loyalty and team cohesion are often emphasised. The accused officer remains suspended while investigators continue gathering evidence. A final decision is not expected for several weeks, as the inquiry involves examining witness statements, reviewing venue CCTV footage, and consulting legal specialists. Police officials have urged the public to allow the investigative process to unfold, insisting that the outcome will be guided by evidence and policy rather than public pressure.
What remains clear is that the incident has sparked urgent discussion within the force and the wider community about workplace conduct, respect and responsibility. Even before the inquiry concludes, its impact is already evident, prompting leadership to confront long-standing concerns and encouraging officers particularly younger and female officers to speak openly about the conditions they face.
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