On one occasion, the panel heard, when she asked for help on something on a computer, Rickard stood behind her and put both of his arms around her “in a way which represented an invasion of her personal space”.
Officer B also alleged that Rickard “frequently made inappropriate, derogatory and degrading comments” about the weight and appearance of women – including their colleagues and members of the public.
He also made explicit comments about his own sex life and that of his son, and once told her he would have “tried it” with her if she was single.
The panel noted: “Your conduct towards Officer B made her feel extremely uncomfortable and uneasy, such that she feared being alone with you and took steps to be separated from you.
“Officer B became so anxious about going to work with you that she would shake. Ultimately, your conduct contributed to her decision to leave the Force.”
The panel heard that the two complainants had spoken during a social occasion and realised they had both had bad experiences working with Rickard.
In its conclusion, the panel said the officers had suffered “emotional harm”.
“The panel found that the former officer had been in a position of authority and trust as the tutor of both officers, and he had abused that position,” it said.
“The officer’s conduct was motivated by a desire to establish a sexual relationship with the officers and his behaviour was therefore predatory in nature.”