West Midlands Police call handler who tried to meet vulnerable woman caller is dismissed
A West Midlands Police call handler has been dismissed after trying to arrange to meet a vulnerable woman who had rung the force seeking help.
The male staff member had tried to communicate with the woman on Facebook Messenger, also asking for a photo of her, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
The handler was dismissed without notice by a force disciplinary panel on October 2, in a decision which was later upheld on December 14 following an unsuccessful appeal by the staff member.
The matter came to light when an advocate for the woman made a complaint to the force on her behalf in July 2019.
That prompted a referral by West Midlands Police to the IOPC, which launched a nine-month investigation. During that time, it interviewed both the staff member and the woman.
IOPC regional director Derrick Campbell said: "Police staff, as well as officers, hold positions of trust and there are policies and guidance in place to ensure they maintain professional boundaries between themselves and members of the public they deal with during the course of their duties - many of whom are in vulnerable situations.
"The call handler breached that trust and told our investigator that he knew what he had done was wrong.
"After we concluded that he had a case to answer for gross misconduct, the force organised a hearing and he has faced the consequences of his actions."
