An Avon and Somerset Police officer is to appear in court accused of rape. Stephen Phipps, 43, has been charged with one count each of rape, sexual assault and coercive and controlling behaviour.
He was arrested and suspended from duty after the allegations were reported to the police in February 2023. Avon and Somerset Police said Phipps, who was based in Bridgwater, Somerset, was not on duty at the time of the alleged offences.
He is set to appear at Taunton Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Thursday, September 26. As well as the criminal investigation, the force’s Professional Standards Department is carrying out an investigation into “potential breaches of standards of professional behaviour”.
Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Richard Marsh, said: “We would like to reassure the public that, since the allegations came to light, detectives from our Investigation team, with oversight from the Operation Bluestone team, who specialise in handling rape and serious sexual offence cases, have carried out a thorough investigation, culminating in a case file being presented to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
“Due to the seriousness of the allegations, a referral was also made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which said the circumstances were suitable for local investigation by Avon and Somerset Police. In addition to the criminal investigation, our Professional Standards Department is carrying out a parallel investigation into potential breaches of standards of professional behaviour.
“It is important that every defendant is given the right to a fair trial and, therefore, we would urge all members of the public to avoid the publication of any material or commentary which could prejudice the forthcoming legal proceedings.”