20 January 2024 , 16:42
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A police officer convicted of assaulting a woman and damaging a car resigned before she was sacked by the force.
Former constable Kia Pulford Stone with Merseyside Police was charged after two separate incidents which took place on March 4 and March 16, 2023, at an address in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The second incident involved the then-officer damaging a Vauxhall Adam car belonging to the same victim.
She pleaded guilty to the two charges and was dealt with at Manchester Magistrates' Court. After the criminal case was concluded, Merseyside Police's Professional Standards Department held an accelerated misconduct hearing, at the force's Rose Hill Headquarters earlier this month, chaired by Chief Constable Serena Kennedy.
CC Kennedy concluded Pulford Stone would have been sacked had she remained on the force. In a decision notice posted by the force, CC Kennedy wrote: "The evidence in this case is incontrovertible and the former officer entered a guilty plea and was convicted by a court on the 26th October 2023
"I also note that this was not a one-off occasion - the victim was subjected to an assault and then damage was caused to her car. As a result, I am satisfied that former Officer Pulford Stone has breached the standards of professional behaviour, namely discreditable conduct.
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"The communities of Merseyside should quite rightly be able to have trust and confidence that the officers and staff working for Merseyside Police not only uphold the law but also abide by the law. The former officer has completely disregarded the standards expected both by the force and the communities of Merseyside by committing and being convicted of a criminal offence."
The decision means Pulford Stone's name will be added to the College of Policing Barred List prohibiting her from working in any policing role in the UK, reported the Liverpool Echo. Detective Superintendent Cheryl Rhodes, from Merseyside's Professional Standards Department, said: "It is only right that the communities of Merseyside have trust and confidence in all our officers and staff that they will abide by the law as well as upholding it.
"Merseyside Police is committed to ensuring that everyone meets the high expectations of the public and when they don't we will take robust action. Our officers are the public face of Merseyside Police and it is vital that our communities feel confident that we will hold officers and staff to account when required.
"Merseyside Police rightly takes a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who commits assault or causes criminal damage. The unacceptable action of individuals will not be allowed to damage the good name built up by the vast majority of our officers and staff who do an exemplary job and work day in, day out to ensure that all of our communities are protected."