News

GMP detective jailed after sexually assaulting another police officer while on duty

"He gravely abused his position of trust and authority within the force."

Emily Sergeant - 10th February 2025

A police detective has been jailed after sexually assaulting another office and staff member while on duty.

Detective Sergeant Richard Mills, from Rochdale, was found guilty by jury verdict of two counts of sexual assault in December of last year, with the two counts in relation to incidents of forceful sexual touching in 2016 and 2020 while he was based in Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Oldham district, and then in the Crime Coordination Unit at Nexus House.

The 42-year-old was said to have been brought to justice for his “abhorrent behaviour towards his colleagues” after they bravely came forward and supported prosecutions during his trial at Liverpool Crown Court last week.

GMP says Mills first came onto the force’s internal investigation team’s radar in 2016 following a report from a member of staff.

Detectives began investigating allegations of sexual assault and gross misconduct, and DS Mills subsequently relocated from working in Chadderton Police Station to the Crime Coordination Unit in Nexus House.

But then, in March 2023, DS Mills made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature in an open working environment within the earshot of several colleagues, which again, sparked numerous complaints and eventually gained the attention of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate.

#JAILED | DS Richard Mills starts an 18-month jail term today after he was found guilty of sexual offences.

He abused his position of trust and authority within GMP and we are appealing for Mills to lose his right to a police pension.

Details: https://t.co/VTBHL3e5MT pic.twitter.com/DzNzo2dA3z
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) February 7, 2025

Amid this offence, it was then that another police officer came forward to disclose DS Mills had sexually assaulted her in 2020.

In both cases, DS Mills was said to have grabbed his co-worker’s hand and forced them to touch his genitals over his trousers.

Mills was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court last Friday (7 February), and has also been placed on the sex offender registry for ten years.

Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, gross misconduct proceedings will take place.

“DS Mills gravely abused his position of trust and authority within the force when he assaulted his female colleagues for his own perverse gratification,” commented Detective Superintendent David Jones, from GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, following the sentencing.

“It was through their brave disclosure that we built a strong prosecution case.

Detective Superintendent Jones said Mills is “unfit to serve the public” and confirmed that he has been barred from policing.

“We will now be writing to the Deputy Mayor of GM to appeal for Mills to lose his right to a police pension,” his statement concluded.

Featured Image – GMP