Officer of year fired for sending indecent photo
Policeman was on duty when picture was sent to woman
A WEST Midlands policeman who who won an officer of the year award last year has been sacked for sending an explicit photo.
It emerged motorbike officer Dave Humpherson sent the photo to a woman while on duty.
A hearing has revealed he has now been dismissed from the force for gross misconduct just months after the 41-year-old was voted 2019 police officer of the year. Pc Humpherson met ‘Miss A’ at a petrol station just hours after matching on dating app Bumble.
He was in uniform and on duty when he got into her car at a Shell garage on the A491 in Bell End, near Clent, on September 2, 2019.
The purpose of the meeting was to “explore the possibility of having a sexual relationship”, a virtual hearing at Lloyd House in Birmingham was told.
Pc Humpherson, who served 22 years with the force, sent her an explicit photo on WhatsApp later the same day, the hearing was told.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson, who presided over the misconduct hearing, said the actions were “reckless and unwise”.
He found the officer had breached standards for discreditable conduct, duties and responsibilities. It amounted to gross misconduct and the officer was dismissed without notice.
Pc Humpherson’s barrister had argued he was “encouraged” into a sexualised conversation by Miss A.
Miss A sent the officer pictures of herself after striking up a flirty chat, the hearing was told.
“He believed this to be a private conversation with someone who was also professional,” his barrister BoEun Jung said.
“He accepts he was on duty when the picture was sent. It did not stop him carrying out his duties and responsibilities.
“He has made open admissions and has shown genuine remorse.”
She said the hardworking officer would normally start work an hour early. The meeting happened on his way to work for a 5pm to 3am shift and the intimate image was sent by Pc Humpherson at 6.27pm. Ms Jung said her client was able to carry out his duties at work, which involved admin and emails.
Ms Jung added: “He has been comprehensive, consistent and honest. He apologises wholeheartedly. He is an exceptional and valued police officer, which up to this date the Force has been greatly proud of.” The woman did not make a formal complaint, but had made an inquiry with professional standards.
Ms Jung said the officer had also received the West Midlands Police Diamond Award in 2015.
The chief constable said the relationship between the officer and Miss A had moved at “great pace”. “When on duty you went to meet Miss A to advance a sexual relationship,” he said.
He said PC Humpherson sending the intimate picture was a “moment of recklessness in his career”. He conceded the incident was a single episode and the officer had shown remorse.
However, he found the officer committed gross misconduct from a “very serious case”.
The officer was not at Lloyd House, but watched proceedings in a video call with a Police Federation representative.
Speaking after the hearing, Chief Superintendent Stephen Graham, commander at Birmingham West, said: “Humpherson’s behaviour was completely unacceptable and a clear breach of our standards of professional behaviour.
“Serving and protecting the public is paramount and it is vital that our communities have trust and confidence in everything that we do.
“Any officer or staff member that fails to uphold our force values and falls below the high standards we expect will be dealt with accordingly.”