A police officer known for his role on Channel 4’s reality show Hunted has been suspended amid allegations of making sexist remarks towards junior female officers. Temporary Inspector Shazad Sadiq, who serves with Durham Constabulary, has faced accusations that could lead to gross misconduct charges.
The suspension, which began in February 2025, comes as the force’s Professional Standards Department investigates the claims. Nearly ten months later, the inquiry is still ongoing, leaving Sgt Sadiq under suspension with full pay.
Among the allegations, Sgt Sadiq, aged 49, reportedly told three female Police Community Support Officers that he did not expect them to have accounts on OnlyFans, a platform where users share adult content. The women contend that they were targeted, while male colleagues did not receive similar comments.
In another incident, he allegedly made a derogatory remark to a female police constable, suggesting she could not “hide her sexuality” while gesturing towards her body. Additionally, he is accused of assigning that same officer to a case involving a woman who frequently went missing and was “struggling with her sexuality,” claiming the officer would be a “motherly figure” due to her own experiences.
Sgt Sadiq is also alleged to have denied the officer the opportunity to take a Taser training course, citing that her “hormones needed to settle” after returning from parental leave.
Sgt Sadiq has been a police officer for 28 years, previously serving with the Metropolitan Police in London before joining Durham Constabulary in 2001. He has held significant positions, including serving as general secretary of the National Black Police Association and chairing the Durham Ethnic Minority Support Association. Since 2021, he has appeared as a hunter on Hunted, where participants evade capture for 21 days for a chance to win a share of £100,000.
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating, “In February, a sergeant was suspended pending an investigation into allegations surrounding potential breaches of standards of behavior. That investigation remains ongoing.”
Channel 4 has chosen not to comment on the situation, which continues to unfold as the investigation progresses.
