Officer placed number in vulnerable woman's bra

The former Staffordshire Police officer was found to have committed gross misconduct

A police officer established an inappropriate sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman after he "placed his phone number in her bra", a misconduct panel has found.

The officer, who later resigned from Staffordshire Police, was concluded to have committed gross misconduct during a hearing held last Wednesday.

It also found the officer, who the force has not named due to safeguarding concerns, had exchanged sexually suggestive messages with a witness.

The panel's chair said his actions caused "severe" harm and barred him from future policing roles, adding he would have been dismissed had he not already resigned.

The former officer was alleged to have attended an incident on 22 December 2022 involving a vulnerable woman in crisis, according to the misconduct hearing summary.

It added: "The officer allegedly engaged in inappropriate and sexual conduct, including placing his phone number in her bra and initiating physical contact."

In August of that year during a shoplifting investigation, he was additionally alleged to have pursued an inappropriate relationship with a witness by "exchanging sexually suggestive messages", the report said.

'Serious breach of trust'

The ex-officer admitted his involvement, the summary added, and his conduct was found to have been "so serious as to justify dismissal".

He has been placed on the College of Policing's barred list, which prevents him from being employed in policing roles in the future.

Dept Ch Con Caroline Marsh said: "The officer's behaviour represented a serious breach of trust and police values.

"Extensive training continues to be delivered to all officers about the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and recognising improper relationships."