Greater Manchester Police officer sacked after sending flirty messages to vulnerable woman
A police officer has lost his job after sending flirtatious messages to a vulnerable missing woman he met after taking part in a search for her.
Watchdogs found he abused his position for a sexual purpose.
PC Robert Whitehead began exchanging messages from his work phone, issued by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and his personal phone while on and off duty, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.
The officer, who met the woman after she was reported missing from home, made a number of comments about the woman’s appearance, while many of the messages were signed with an “x” and some were flirtatious.
He also received inappropriate messages and images which he did not discourage.
At one point he asked where she was, seemingly for the purpose of arranging to meet her, although there was no evidence they met in the short time they were in contact, the IOPC said.
He also sent a message telling the woman to delete their conversations, saying she would “get in bother” if she did not.
PC Whitehead was arrested on 15 November 2022 on suspicion of misconduct in public office and improper use of police powers.
An IOPC investigation concluded in May 2023 and identified incontrovertible evidence of PC Whitehead’s conduct that was likely to amount to gross misconduct.
On Tuesday 19 September 2023, an accelerated misconduct hearing, arranged by GMP, found the case against PC Whitehead, who was based in Ashton, was proven at the level of gross misconduct.
At the hearing, he was found to have breached the police standards of professional behaviour with respect to honesty and integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; and discreditable conduct.
He was dismissed without notice and added to the College of Policing’s barred list, banning him from working in policing in future.
The IOPC referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which decided not to authorise any criminal charges.
IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: “When officers abuse their position for a sexual purpose this is a form of serious corruption, which has absolutely no place in policing.
“PC Whitehead was well aware of the woman’s vulnerability yet rather than helping her, he tried to exploit the situation for his own sexual gratification.
His attempts to cover up this appalling behaviour show he was well aware his communication with the woman had gone far beyond acceptable, professional contact.
"Thanks to the prompt referral from GMP, and swift response of IOPC investigators, we were able to stop this contact before it escalated any further.
The resulting investigation has ensured PC Whitehead was held accountable for his actions and I welcome today’s outcome.”
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