Voyeur detective booted off force after admitting sex offence
Marcus O’Dell had worked investigating sex attacks and child abuse for West Midlands Police.
A detective responsible for investigating child abuse has been dismissed from West Midlands Police after admitting sex offences involving a girl.
Marcus O’Dell was dismissed with immediate effect by a misconduct hearing on Tuesday.
The former detective sergeant had worked in the force's public protection unit, which is responsible for investigating child abuse, sexual offences and the management of sex offenders.
The dismissal comes after O’Dell pleaded guilty to voyeurism at Cannock Magistrates’ Court last month.
The 46-year-old, of Marston Road, Stafford, faces up to 18 months behind bars for the offence.
He was released on conditional bail and is due to be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on a date yet to be fixed.
O'Dell, who admitted observing a person doing a private act between May 2016 and 2018, was handed an interim order forcing him to sign the sex offenders register.
Detective Chief Inspector Warren Little, on behalf of the force, told the hearing that the conviction demonstrated that O’Dell cannot be relied on.
He added: “The public has a right to expect police officers that protect them by upholding the law to also uphold the law themselves.
“Any conviction for offences under the sexual offences act can’t be compatible with serving in the police.”
'Undermined confidence'
West Midlands Police Chief Constable David Thompson dismissed O’Dell, who was not at the hearing at West Midlands Police headquarters at Lloyd House in Birmingham.
“It’s always important to remind ourselves what the purpose of the police misconduct regulations are," Ch Con Thompson said.
“Officers convicted of criminal offences are never acceptable and always to be regarded as a serious matter.
“This particular case was for a serious matter and would undermine the public’s confidence in policing.
“The behaviour has significantly undermined confidence in West Midlands Police.
"It’s impossible to imagine an officer with a conviction of this type.”
O'Dell joined West Midlands Police in 1998, starting on the beat in Willenhall after transferring from the East End of London.
