Videos of interactions with vulnerable woman found on officer’s mobile phone - West Midlands Police, October 2016

A West Midlands Police officer, along with a colleague, responded to two welfare incidents involving the same vulnerable woman in December 2015 and March 2016. In October 2016 videos and images were found on the officer’s mobile phone during the course of another investigation. The content of these videos and images, which featured the vulnerable woman, appeared to be of a discriminatory and derogatory nature. Evidence found indicated that at least two of the videos had been shared via a social media messaging application.

During the investigation, our investigators examined data from the mobile phone and obtained statements from several witnesses. The police officers in attendance at both incidents during the filming of the videos were interviewed under caution, including the officer on whose phone the images and videos were found.

The Investigator concluded that there was sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable tribunal could conclude that the officer who owned the mobile phone containing the videos had a case to answer for gross misconduct.

The Investigator also concluded that there was sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable tribunal could conclude that a second officer had a case to answer for misconduct for failing to challenge and to report the behaviour of the other officer, especially after seeing the footage on social media.

After reviewing our report, West Midlands Police proposed to deal with the second officer as a misconduct matter resolved by management action. The officer will be required to review the force’s social media policy and complete a briefing on the effects of stigma on people with mental health issues.

The force also advised that it would hold a gross misconduct meeting for the first officer.

In autumn 2018 an independent disciplinary panel found that the first officer had breached professional standards relating to respect and courtesy, duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct. The officer was dismissed without notice.