A police officer has been dismissed from duty after engaging in inappropriate WhatsApp messages with a vulnerable woman, as revealed during an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing held at Greater Manchester Police Headquarters on September 19, 2023.

PC Robert Whitehead exchanged these messages using his work mobile phone after creating a care plan for the woman, who had previously been reported missing. Chief Constable Stephen Watson, who presided over the hearing, disclosed that PC Whitehead was fully aware of the woman’s vulnerability but still “engaged in flirtatious messaging” in November 2022. Subsequently, the messaging transitioned to his personal phone, with PC Whitehead requesting that the woman, referred to as Miss A, delete all exchanged messages and photos.

Miss A, feeling threatened, reported the exchanges to GMP (Greater Manchester Police), leading to PC Whitehead’s suspension. During the hearing, Julian King, representing PC Whitehead, acknowledged that his client’s actions were “misjudged” but argued that he had not been pursuing a sexual or romantic relationship with Miss A.

Chief Constable Watson made the decision to dismiss PC Whitehead without notice, citing that his actions breached the standards of integrity and professional behavior, constituting gross misconduct. He commented, “While much of the messaging could amount to an officer checking on a vulnerable female’s safety and well-being, there were messages that were grossly inappropriate and of a sexual nature. Mr. Whitehead knew his actions were inappropriate.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) conducted an investigation into PC Whitehead’s conduct following a referral from GMP. Additionally, PC Whitehead, stationed in Tameside, has been added to the College of Policing Barred List, effectively preventing him from working in policing again.

Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Allen of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch expressed gratitude to the IOPC for its investigation and emphasised the importance of upholding high professional standards within the police force. He stated, “Having abused his position by departing from the highest standards of professional behavior that all police officers must embody, it is right that he has been dismissed from the force and barred from ever working in policing again.”