Ex-PC jailed for on-duty sexual assault, betraying police values

A former police officer has been imprisoned for sexually assaulting a colleague while on duty. The incident involving Archit Sharma, previously attached to the North Area Command Unit, occurred on December 7, 2020, and was described as a “betrayal” by a high-ranking officer. After an investigation, Sharma was charged on July 28, 2021, and subsequently convicted of sexual assault at Wood Green Crown Court on March 6. He resigned four days later.

On Friday, the same court sentenced Sharma to 16 months in prison, and he will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years. Additionally, he is subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim for ten years and must pay a victim surcharge of £156. Sharma will now be added to the College of Policing’s Barred List, preventing him from being employed by police, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, or Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, who oversees local policing in Enfield and Haringey, commented on the case:

“Former PC Sharma’s behaviour was abhorrent. His actions were a betrayal of our policing values.”

Haines expressed hope that the outcome would emphasize the seriousness with which sexual offence reports are treated, regardless of the perpetrator. Following Sharma’s conviction, an accelerated case hearing was initiated, which upheld the allegations of misconduct.