Detective Sergeant Richard Mills previously worked at Chadderton Police Station but was moved following allegations of sexual assault and gross misconduct.
The 42-year-old was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault following a trial in December and today (Friday, February 7), at Liverpool Crown Court, he was sentenced.
In 2016, detectives began investigating allegations of sexual assault and gross misconduct after a report was made by a member of staff.
Mills was relocated from working at Chadderton Police Station to Greater Manchester Police’s Crime Coordination Unit in Nexus House, Ashton-under-Lyne.
In March last year, Mills made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature in an open working environment within the earshot of several colleagues, sparking numerous complaints, and the attention of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate.
Following this, a police officer came forward and said Mills had sexually assaulted her in 2020.
In both cases, DS Mills grabbed his co-worker’s hand and forced them to touch his genitals over his trousers.
Mills was sentenced to 18 months in prison and has been placed on the sex offender registry for 10 years.
Now criminal proceedings have concluded, gross misconduct proceedings will take place.
Detective Superintendent David Jones, from GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “DS Mills gravely abused his position of trust and authority within the force when he assaulted his female colleagues for his own perverse gratification.
“It was through their brave disclosure that we built a strong prosecution case.
“Cowardly, Mills denied any wrongdoing. Notwithstanding he has been held accountable for the harm he caused after the victims endured a two-week trial and testified in front of a jury.
“Their tenacity and strength shown throughout our investigation and legal proceedings is commendable and should be recognised as the driving force behind reaching today’s outcome, whereby Mills is starting a jail term as a convicted sex offender.
“He is unfit to serve the public and 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.
“We take all allegations of sexual violence extremely seriously and we investigate them with the utmost sensitivity. We encourage anyone who has been a victim of this crime to come forward.”
Support Available
If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.
You can also report information and crimes on GMP’s website (www.gmp.police.uk).
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
St. Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre – Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
Trafford Rape Crisis and Manchester Rape Crisis are run by women for women who have experienced rape and sexual abuse. They are both confidential and can provide information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives.
We Are Survivors Manchester – provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.
