A police officer known for his role on Channel 4’s reality series “Hunted” has been suspended following allegations of making sexist remarks towards female colleagues. Sergeant Shazad Sadiq, a temporary inspector with Durham Constabulary, is facing accusations that could lead to findings of gross misconduct.
The suspension occurred in February 2025, with the officer placed on full pay while an investigation by the force’s Professional Standards Department continues. Ten months later, the inquiry remains active, and Sgt Sadiq is still under suspension.
Allegations against the 49-year-old officer include statements made to three female Police Community Support Officers, suggesting he did not expect them to have accounts on OnlyFans, a platform known for adult content. The women claim this comment singled them out, as no similar warnings were given to their male counterparts.
Additionally, Sgt Sadiq is accused of making an inappropriate remark to a female constable, implying that she could not “hide her sexuality” while gesturing toward her body. Sources indicate that in another incident, he assigned the same officer to assist a woman who frequently went missing and who was described as “struggling with her sexuality.” He allegedly suggested that the constable could relate to the woman and would serve as a “motherly figure.”
Furthermore, he reportedly declined to allow the same officer to enroll in a Taser training course, citing that her “hormones needed to settle” after a period of parental leave. Sgt Sadiq has firmly denied all allegations made against him.
With a career spanning 28 years, Sgt Sadiq previously served with the Metropolitan Police in London before joining Durham in 2001. He has held significant roles, including general secretary of the National Black Police Association and chairman of the Durham Ethnic Minority Support Association.
Since 2021, he has appeared as a hunter on “Hunted,” a show where police and intelligence personnel pursue contestants trying to evade capture. Contestants aim to reach an “extraction point” within 21 days to share a prize pool of £100,000.
In response to the ongoing situation, a representative from Durham Constabulary stated, “In February, a sergeant was suspended pending an investigation into allegations surrounding potential breaches of standards of behaviour. That investigation remains ongoing.” Channel 4 has opted not to comment on the matter.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for Sgt Sadiq’s career and the broader context of workplace conduct within policing institutions remain to be seen.
