Senior Police Officer Faces Misconduct After 30-Year Career in Question

Birmingham: A senior police officer in West Midlands is in hot water after accessing a robbery log while off-duty. Detective Chief Inspector Evans logged in to check details about a case that had nothing to do with him. This incident has led to a misconduct hearing, and the panel was pretty clear about it being a serious breach of conduct.

Even though Evans had a spotless 30-year career, the panel described his actions as a major failing in leadership. He accessed the police system for personal reasons because he knew the victim involved. They called it a “one-off event,” but it still raised eyebrows.

During the hearing, it was revealed that he viewed the log twice on June 28, 2023, while off-duty. Later that day, he was called back to work for hostage negotiation duties. Thankfully, there was no evidence that he interfered with the investigation or shared what he found.

The panel emphasized that police officers can’t just access confidential systems for personal reasons, especially when it involves family or friends. Evans had raised concerns about the victim’s wellbeing but didn’t document when he accessed the log, which was a big no-no.

In the report, they pointed out that he should have known better, given his rank and experience. His actions showed a blatant disregard for the rules, and the panel made it clear that senior officers need to set a good example.

Evans retired in January 2024, just before the misconduct hearing took place in December. He didn’t show up but did send an email apologizing for his absence and admitting to the allegations. He claimed he was just trying to help the victim, but the panel wasn’t buying it, saying he had plenty of chances to document his actions but chose not to.

In the end, the panel found that he acted without integrity, and his behavior was unacceptable for someone in his position. It’s a reminder that even the most experienced officers need to follow the rules.