In a landmark case, former Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer Shamraze Arshad (38) has been convicted of misconduct in a public office. The verdict came after a retrial at Liverpool Crown Court on June 13, 2024. Arshad’s actions involved pursuing a sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman, leading to his dismissal from the force earlier this year.
Arshad’s Troubled Past:
- Arshad faced previous charges related to perverting the course of justice and data misuse during a trial in July 2023.
- The investigation began in July 2021 when the Professional Standards Directorate (PSD) conducted a routine audit check. It revealed that Arshad, a PC based at Longsight, had been using police systems off-duty and without a legitimate policing purpose.
- Further inquiries revealed that Arshad had maintained extensive contact with a specific phone number from his work phone. This number was linked to a woman he had previously assisted after a 999 call concerning her welfare in October 2020.
The Unsettling Relationship:
- Despite being released on bail with strict conditions not to contact the woman, Arshad visited her address and instructed her housemates not to disclose anything about their relationship to the police.
- His actions led to his arrest for attempting to pervert the course of justice, and he was subsequently charged.
The Brave Testimony:
- The courageous woman involved provided crucial evidence during the trial, shedding light on the sexual relationship Arshad pursued with her.
- Arshad’s conviction includes charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice, data misuse, and misconduct in a public office.
- Arshad has been sentenced to four years in prison.
- Detective Chief Inspector Dave Jones, from the PSD, expressed gratitude to the woman for her bravery. He emphasised that Arshad’s abuse of his position was an unforgivable breach of policing standards.
- Jones further stated that Arshad’s jail term is well-deserved, emphasising that he does not represent the majority of honest, hard-working police officers who protect the public.
The Future:
- Following the conclusion of criminal proceedings, GMP will seek to strip Arshad of his police pension.
