Neil Wilby Media

A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer who entered into a relationship with a victim of domestic violence, whom he met in the course of his duties, has been given a final written warning by an independent disciplinary panel following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

The police watchdog received a referral from GMP in September 2019 over concerns that Police Constable Dean Birkhead may have formed an inappropriate relationship with a woman he had met after she reported a crime to police. He was arrested by IOPC investigators on 20th September 2019 and interviewed under criminal caution.

The independent investigation, which concluded in September 2020, incredibly, a full year, looked at the nature of the officer’s contact with the woman, and their relationship. We also investigated complaints by the woman’s ex-partner, referred by GMP in December 2019, alleging PC Birkhead had influenced witness statements made by the woman, and that the officer had acted unprofessionally towards him.

IOPC investigators examined PC Birkhead’s work and personal mobile phones and obtained statements from witnesses. They found a significant number of messages to and from the woman on his personal phone, and evidence that they met in person on a number of occasions.

PC Birkhead, who was based in Stockport, admitted failing to report the relationship to supervisors because he said he was scared to do so.

At the conclusion of their investigation, the IOPC found PC Birkhead had a case to answer for gross misconduct. GMP agreed with their assessment and arranged a misconduct hearing, adjudicated by an independent panel and led by a legally qualified chair. That hearing concluded yesterday (6th July, 2023).

The Panel found PC Birkhead breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to his honesty and integrity; and authority, respect and conduct. This was in relation to his failure to report the relationship to his supervisor, and for this he was handed a final written warning.

The Panel, surprisingly, found he had no case to answer in respect of allegations that his relationship with the woman was inappropriate.

IOPC Regional Director, Catherine Bates, said after the hearing:

“Police officers are entrusted with significant powers and must be seen to be using them responsibly. That is why they are required to report personal relationships where there could be a potential conflict of interest.

“These rules are vital to protect both the public and the integrity of the police service. PC Birkhead was well aware of these rules, which he signed up to on becoming a police officer, yet failed to follow them.

“Whilst the Panel was satisfied in this case that the woman in question was not vulnerable, this serves as a valuable reminder of the standards all officers must adhere to if they are to maintain the trust placed in them by the public.”

At the end of their investigation the watchdog referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, whom decided not to authorise any charges against PC Birkhead. The IOPC found no independent evidence capable of confirming whether or not the allegations made in the complaint against PC Birkhead were accurate.

Whilst no-one should underestimate the ineptitude and time-wasting ability of the IOPC, it is still a remarkable feat of inaction to take three years to bring a matter of this nature to a conclusion – and one that leaves a police officer found by an independent panel to be dishonest, and lacking integrity, to the civil standard, still serving in the second largest force in England.

In can be counted as a blessing that the long-suffering public of Greater Manchester were spared the usual ‘lessons learned’ watchdog chorus.

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Page last updated: Friday 7th July, 2023 at 18h55

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Picture credit: GMP

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