PC gave number to vulnerable woman, say police

An accelerated misconduct hearing took place at Bedfordshire Police's headquarters in Kempston on 24 September

A former PC accused of showing "predatory behaviour" when he gave his phone number to a vulnerable woman has been found to have committed gross misconduct.

Bedfordshire Police said Michael Nimo went to the woman's home to take a statement after she reported being a victim of domestic violence.

The force said PC Nimo told her not to tell anyone he had passed on her number, but she later reported him.

Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst said he knew it was "inappropriate" and his actions would result in "reputational harm".

Bedfordshire Police said if PC Nimo had not resigned before the misconduct hearing, which took place on Wednesday, he would have been sacked.

His actions in January amounted to gross misconduct, Mr Rodenhurst said.

"He accepts he gave a vulnerable member of the public his private number after attending to take a statement following a report of domestic violence," he said.

"He further accepts he told her to keep the number private because he could lose his job if it was known he had done so, showing that he knew the contact was inappropriate.

"He then contacted her on that number; I find this behaviour predatory."

'Concerning pattern'

Bedfordshire Police said PC Nimo also took a second job as an Uber driver, without permission, and during a job "contacted a customer and offered to buy her jewellery and take her to a fast-food restaurant".

His actions while an Uber driver "showed a concerning pattern of behaviour", added Mr Rodenhurst.

The accelerated misconduct hearing, held at the force's headquarters in Kempston, found he breached various standards of professional behaviour.

He was also placed on the College of Policing barred list preventing him from returning to a career in policing or similar profession.