SEVEN officers from West Mercia Police have been dismissed since 2018 for crimes and misconduct including sexual offences.

Three were retrospectively dismissed for offences relating to sexual misconduct, while other crimes included theft and common assault. 

Police forces across the country have come under scrutiny in recent weeks after 33-year-old Sarah Everard was kidnapped, raped, and murdered earlier this year by a serving officer who had been flagged to the police for alleged flashing. 

Yesterday, it was announced that an independent inquiry will be launched into how Wayne Couzens, Everard's killer, was allowed to remain in the Metropolitan Police despite concerns about his behaviour.

In West Mercia, disgraced officer Gary Brennan resigned after 17 years in the force.
He admitted taking inappropriate photos of himself on his work phone whilst on duty.
Brennan, from Telford, also pleaded guilty to using the force's systems to contact women whilst working for West Mercia Police.

He was retrospectively dismissed in October 2018 and found guilty of two counts of misconduct in a public office in September 2020.

In a separate incident, former West Mercia officer Leighton Phillips, from Market Drayton police station, was charged with two counts of sexual touching on a female under 16.
It happened while the former officer was off duty on a train in March last year and was investigated by British Transport Police.

Phillips was also retrospectively dismissed from the force on October 14, 2020, and just a day later he was sentenced to a 24-month community order, 20 days of rehabilitation and a three-month curfew.

He was also made to sign the sex offenders register for 5 years and placed on the College Of Policing Barred List.

PC James Walters was dismissed in July 2021 for gross misconduct for abuse of position for sexual purposes following an internal referral.

Meanwhile Andrew Wright, who had completed 20 years service as a constable, was proven to have ignored several reported incidents that involved vulnerable females who had been victims of a domestic assaults, including one in Malvern.

Wright was dismissed in September 2018.

The other dismissals related to common assault, racial abuse and theft.

Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “I want to reassure our communities that we expect the very highest standards from our officers and staff; any instance which falls short is taken very seriously. "We will not tolerate inappropriate or unlawful behaviour, or conduct that damages the trust and confidence the public have in West Mercia Police. 

“We encourage both the public and our workforce to report any concerns they may have regarding the organisation or individuals within it.  The misconduct processes highlighted here, were as a direct result of issues raised through our reporting mechanisms. 

“The overwhelming majority of police officers and staff come to work every day with the intention and commitment to keeping the public safe, preventing and detecting crime and being proud of the public service they deliver. 

“We are working alongside colleagues nationally to ensure our professional standards and vetting procedures are robust and that we are implementing any learning and recommendations from recent events.” 

Officers accused of crimes and misconduct should be reported to their Professional Standards Department and considered for referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

If found guilty of a crime, an officer can be dismissed from the police force and face further legal action.

Those who have already left the police by the time the investigation has been concluded can still be retrospectively dismissed.