Edward Ryan, who served with Avon and Somerset Police, was found guilty of gross misconduct following a two-day hearing after colleagues reported his behaviour at an off-duty gathering in Bristol in April 2024.

The hearing heard that Ryan made a transphobic comment during a conversation about a television programme and also made sexualised remarks and gestures about a woman he knew outside of work. The comments were made in a public setting in front of colleagues, who reported the incident to the force’s Professional Standards Department within 48 hours