Allegation of attempts to pursue inappropriate relationships with vulnerable women - Avon and Somerset Constabulary, April 2018

In April 2018 Avon and Somerset Constabulary received a phone call from a member of the public expressing concerns about contact between a police officer and a vulnerable woman whom the officer had met during the course of his duties.

The police officer subsequently went to the woman’s home late in the evening while he was on duty, with a bottle of wine. The officer had told his supervisor he was conducting enquiries elsewhere. The force referred this to matter to us as a conduct referral.

During the investigation, our investigators reviewed body-worn video footage and a statement taken from the vulnerable woman. We took statements from other police officers. The police officer’s personal and work mobile phones were forensically examined and his work email account interrogated. During this email examination, email correspondence that appeared inappropriate was found between the officer and another vulnerable woman he had met during the course of his duties. Our investigators met with this woman and took an account from her.

During an interview with our investigators the officer confirmed he attended the woman’s home with a bottle of wine, but disputed he was seeking to start a relationship. He acknowledged that his actions fell short of what is expected of a police officer. The officer did not provide a response when asked whether he considered the emails he sent to the second woman were inappropriate.

Based on the evidence available we were of the opinion that the officer may have a case to answer for gross misconduct and that he should attend a gross misconduct hearing.

After reviewing our report, Avon and Somerset Constabulary agreed with our findings.

The officer resigned prior to the hearing taking place. At the hearing, the panel concluded that the actions of the officer amounted to gross misconduct and that he would have been dismissed had he still been a serving officer.