Misconduct hearings outcomes

Date     
10-13 August 2020

Venue    
West Midlands Police Headquarters, Lloyd House, Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6NQ (Sat Nav B4 6AT)

Officers    
PC 1778 Birch
PC 20657 Hopwood

 
Conduct that gave rise to breaches    
Officers attended a location following a report of theft in progress.

PC Birch

1.    (a) It is alleged that PC Birch used derogatory/ discriminatory words over the police radio;
(b) It is alleged that PC Birch engaged in the use of further discriminatory words and behaviour at the location. 

2.     It is further alleged that the officer attempted to influence PC Hopwood and collude with him to ensure that their statements supported force used by PC Birch.

PC Hopwood

1.     It is alleged that PC Hopwood turned off his Body Worn Video to speak to PC Birch following the incident and that he then provided an inaccurate and incomplete account of the incident in his witness statement. 

Finding    
PC Birch
1.    (a) Proven – Gross Misconduct
(b) Not Proven 
2.    Not Proven
PC Hopwood
Not Proven

Standards of Professional Behaviour breached    
PC Birch
Equality and Diversity
Authority, Respect and Courtesy 

Outcome    
PC Birch
Final Written Warning

Legally Qualified Chair    
Stephen Chappell