A senior officer’s off-duty access to a robbery log raises serious misconduct concerns despite a long, unblemished career.
Birmingham: A senior police officer in West Midlands is in hot water. Detective Chief Inspector Evans accessed a robbery log while off-duty. This was a big no-no.
The misconduct hearing revealed he logged in for personal reasons. He wanted info on a case that had nothing to do with him. The panel called it a serious failing.
Evans had a spotless 30-year career. But this one incident raised eyebrows. He accessed the police system for personal gain because he knew the victim.
Even though it was a one-off event, the panel found he breached professional standards. If he hadn’t retired, he would have faced demotion.
On June 28, 2023, he checked the log twice. Later that day, he was called back to work for hostage negotiation duties. No evidence showed he interfered with the investigation.
The panel stressed that police officers can’t access confidential info for personal reasons. Evans knew this but still went ahead. His actions were a serious breach of trust.
He had raised concerns about the victim’s wellbeing but didn’t document his log access. The report pointed out that he had no right to check that data.
Evans retired in January 2024, and the hearing took place in December 2024. He didn’t show up but emailed an apology. He admitted to accessing the log but claimed it was out of concern.
Despite his claims, the panel wasn’t convinced. They felt he had plenty of chances to document his actions but chose not to. His disregard for the rules was troubling.
The report concluded that senior officers must set a good example. Evans’ actions showed a lack of integrity and respect for his role.
