Officer Misconduct (368A/23)
Request
- How many police officers (of all ranks) employed by the service are currently under investigation following allegations of misconduct?
- Of those officers, could you please breakdown the reasoning they’re under investigation? For example, bullying, sexual misconduct etc.
- Of those officers, could you please breakdown how many cases are regarding internal investigations (so allegations against other police staff) or external (so allegations made by members of the public)
I would also like to know the below for past complaints:
- Of the misconduct cases brought against officers over the past five years (so the period March 1, 2018 – March 1, 2023) how many resulted in the following:
- Dismissal
- Disciplinary action (any form excluding cautions)
- Cautioned
- No action taken
- Of those which resulted in any action being taken – how many led to the beginnings of criminal proceedings? Please also provide the reasons for arrest.
- Of those officers, could you please breakdown how many cases were regarding internal investigations (so allegations against other police staff) or external (so allegations made by members of the public)
Response
We can confirm that some relevant information is held by West Midlands Police. However, while the majority of the information is attached to this email I am not required to release all of the information requested. Please find attached a redacted document.
REASONS FOR DECISION
The withheld information is exempt by virtue of the following exemptions:
Section 30(3) – Investigations and proceedings conducted by the public authority
Section 31(3) – Law enforcement
Section 38(2) – Health and safety
These exemptions and explanatory notes are shown here:
In line with the above, I am required to complete a Prejudice Test/Public Interest Test (PIT) on disclosure. Please find this PIT attached [368A_PIT_01].
We want our officers to uphold the highest of standards so the public has the utmost confidence in them.
Sexual abuse is simply unacceptable but when it is done by a police officer – who holds a position of power and someone the public should trust – it must be rooted out and eliminated.
We must do everything we can to maintain public confidence and trust in policing.
This will provide reassurance to the public that we mean it when we say we’ll do all we can to preserve and rebuild trust.