THE future employment of one of Humberside Police's most highly-decorated officers will be considered after he was convicted of a campaign of harassment against two women.
Colin Andrews is facing jail for convictions of witness intimidation, aggravated stalking, harassment, and common assault.
Humberside Police Chief Constable, Justine Curran, pictured below right, today said: "His future employment will be considered in accordance with the force internal conduct procedures".
He is currently suspended from his role as the force's criminal justice unit manager.
One of his victims, who was bombarded with calls and text messages, said his actions left her frightened and unable to function normally.
The ex-chief superintendent then threatened to expose intimate details about her life if she cooperated with a police investigation.
Andrews, 58, was also accused of rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a further charge of common assault, but was found not guilty of those charges.
He was arrested on August 20, 2013, after confronting one of the victims in Park Grove, west Hull.
Owen Phillips, a passer-by, saw him behaving aggressively towards the woman and called 999.
Andrews, of Brough, was found guilty of common assault for slapping Mr Phillips in the face as he was making the call.
As Mr Phillips was making the call, Andrews could be heard calling the woman a "lesbian" and taunted Mr Phillips about being unemployed, even though he was on his way to work at the time.
After being stopped by police as he cycled away along Princes Avenue, Andrews was allowed to go on his way.
He was arrested later that evening outside Darleys pub in Hessle, after it was revealed he had sent threatening texts to the stalking victim in an attempt to stop her assisting with the inquiry.
The first of three messages, which was sent at 7.39pm, said: "Well how clever was that. All I tried to do was talk ... and you decided to play to that guy ... If they need to investigate let them and I will defend myself ... Then they can see you're not the sweet innocent person you portray yourself to be."
After details of his arrest emerged, another woman contacted police.
Andrews was convicted of harassing her, but cleared of rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.
The harassment took place in the 12 months before August 2013.
Although both women begged Andrews to stop contacting them, he persisted.
After the verdicts were delivered following a six-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, Andrews was released on conditional bail. He will be sentenced at the same court on March 13 following pre-sentence reports.
Trial judge Mrs Justice Patterson said all sentencing options remained open.
Speaking after the verdicts, Chief Constable Justine Curran said: "The dedication of our anti-corruption unit, who assisted Durham Police in their investigation, demonstrates the victims' bravery and confidence in our officers was not misplaced.
"These officers, whose professionalism is echoed in the majority of officers in Humberside Police, should be recognised for the highest standards of integrity."
Andrews retired in 2012 and later returned to the force as a civilian member of staff.
