A Welsh council has launched an investigation into a claim that it has hired a disgraced former police sergeant. Neath Port Talbot council has allegedly recruited David Meller, who last month resigned from South Wales Police after making vile remarks about a 15-year-old girl and female officers.
Days after his resignation Mr Meller, 45, was banned from police service by a misconduct panel who had been told of his "very sexualised" language about two junior female officers as well as his intimidation of a vulnerable girl. The gross misconduct happened at Swansea Central police station in November 2021 — little more than a year after he had avoided being fired for pinging a junior colleague's bra.
Now a source has told WalesOnline that Mr Meller has been hired to a position of responsibility at Neath Port Talbot council, allegedly with the help of a connection to another employee of the local authority. A spokesperson for the council said: “The council has now been made aware of these accusations and is currently investigating in line with its employment policies.”
The source said: "I think it is disgusting that taxpayers' money is being used to pay this person. How can a local council employ someone like this?"
In an email replying to a complaint from our source, the council's chief executive Karen Jones said: "I am unable to comment further as this is an employment matter however, please be assured that we have not dismissed the matter you have raised with me."
WalesOnline has asked the council if it was aware of Mr Meller's gross misconduct when he was allegedly hired. The experienced sergeant was barred from police service after details emerged of his behaviour towards a 15-year-old girl who was being processed at Swansea Central police station. The vulnerable teenager — referred to as Miss A — had been arrested at a care home after allegedly assaulting two staff members. It had been flagged that she was a suicide risk.
"His attitude to a young vulnerable person was disgraceful," the panel found. "The public would be shocked if they viewed the CCTV recording of Sgt Meller’s interaction with Miss A."
You can read the details of Mr Meller's gross misconduct here. And you can see more cases of Welsh police officers disciplined for misconduct here.
READ NEXT:
