A misconduct panel has ruled that former West Yorkshire Police Chief Superintendent Daniel Greenwood would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had he not already resigned. The ruling, announced on September 19, 2024, follows charges of discreditable conduct related to an inappropriate relationship Greenwood had with a student police officer between March 2019 and November 2021.

The panel, led by an independent legally qualified chair, determined that Greenwood’s actions constituted an abuse of power. He was found to have taken advantage of his senior position to pursue a relationship for sexual purposes with a subordinate.

West Yorkshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson commented on the case, stating, “Daniel Greenwood took full advantage of his senior position to pursue a wholly inappropriate relationship with a student officer.” She emphasized that his behavior “brings discredit on the police service, goes against our values, and undermines public trust and confidence.

Hankinson reassured the public that the force is committed to maintaining high standards: “The public deserves police officers who hold the highest standards, and his actions do not represent the overwhelming majority of honest and hardworking police officers and staff in West Yorkshire.

The Deputy Chief Constable also stressed the importance of addressing misconduct, adding, “I hope people feel reassured that all allegations of discreditable conduct will be robustly investigated, and such behavior has no place in our service.

Greenwood resigned from his role on Tuesday, September 17, just two days before the misconduct panel announced its ruling. As a result of the findings, Greenwood will be placed on the police barred list, effectively preventing him from serving in law enforcement in the future.