Cymraeg isod
A Dyfed-Powys Police officer has been dismissed without notice after gross misconduct was found proven at a force hearing, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Police Sergeant Karl Longhurst, 44, faced allegations of gross misconduct after being accused of having and failing to declare an inappropriate relationship with a woman who was a vulnerable victim of crime.
The IOPC investigation began in July 2020 after Dyfed-Powys Police referred a complaint made by the woman about the officer sending her messages of a sexual nature. PS Longhurst had been a custody sergeant in August 2017, and it was alleged that while taking a DNA swab from the woman detainee’s mouth he made a sexual comment to her. PS Longhurst, on occasions when off-duty, had engaged in consensual sexual activity with the woman some time before. The investigation looked into allegations that PS Longhurst had failed to report the pre-existing relationship to his supervisor as required to by force policy, and to recuse himself from dealing with the woman at the time when she came into custody. It was further alleged that between January and June 2020, despite being aware of the previous policing contact and of her vulnerabilities, he was messaging the woman in a proactive effort to rekindle their former relationship.
IOPC investigators interviewed the officer under caution, examined his mobile phone and reviewed text messages downloaded from the woman’s phone. At the end of our investigation in May last year, we submitted our report to the force with our view that PS Longhurst had a case to answer for gross misconduct.
A police disciplinary panel, led by a legally-qualified, independent Chair, determined on 10 November that the officer had breached the standards of professional behaviour in a number of areas including honesty and integrity, and discreditable conduct. It was decided he would be dismissed without notice.
IOPC Director for Wales, Catrin Evans said: “While any sexual contact with the woman took place off duty, PS Longhurst had ample opportunity to report the relationship but failed to do so, contrary to force policy. He evidently displayed a lack of integrity and admitted unacceptable conduct towards a female detainee entrusted into his care while performing a critically important role as custody sergeant. Some time later, despite knowing of the woman’s vulnerabilities and past policing contact, he was messaging her in a sexualised manner in an attempt to renew their relationship.
“In our view PS Longhurst’s behaviour risked undermining public confidence in policing and amounted to gross misconduct. The police disciplinary panel having considered the evidence has decided to dismiss him without notice.”
PS Longhurst will now be placed on the police barred list.
Swyddog Heddlu Dyfed-Powys yn cael ei ddiswyddo am gamymddwyn difrifol
Mae heddwas o Heddlu Dyfed-Powys wedi’i ddiswyddo heb rybudd ar ôl i gamymddwyn difrifol gael ei ganfod mewn gwrandawiad gan yr heddlu, yn dilyn ymchwiliad gan Swyddfa Annibynnol Ymddygiad yr Heddlu (IOPC).
Roedd Siarsiant yr Heddlu Karl Longhurst, 44, yn wynebu honiadau o gamymddwyn difrifol ar ôl cael ei gyhuddo o fod â, ac o fethu â datgan, perthynas amhriodol â dynes fregus oedd yn ddioddefwr trosedd.
Dechreuodd ymchwiliad yr IOPC ym mis Gorffennaf 2020 ar ôl i Heddlu Dyfed-Powys gyfeirio cwyn a wnaed gan y ddynes am y swyddog yn anfon negeseuon o natur rywiol ati. Roedd PS Longhurst wedi bod yn siarsiant y ddalfa ym mis Awst 2017, a honnwyd, wrth gymryd swab DNA o geg y fenyw, iddo wneud sylw rhywiol iddi. Roedd PS Longhurst, ar adegau pan nad oedd ar ddyletswydd, wedi cymryd rhan mewn gweithgaredd rhywiol cydsyniol â'r fenyw beth amser cyn hynny. Edrychodd yr ymchwiliad i honiadau fod PS Longhurst wedi methu ag adrodd am y berthynas oedd yn bodoli eisoes i'w oruchwylydd fel sy'n ofynnol gan bolisi'r heddlu, ac er mwyn peidio â delio â'r ddynes ar yr adeg pan ddaeth i'r ddalfa. Honnwyd ymhellach ei fod, rhwng Ionawr a Mehefin 2020, er ei fod yn ymwybodol o’r cyswllt plismona blaenorol a’i gwendidau, wedi anfon neges at y fenyw mewn ymdrech bwrpasol i ailgynnau eu perthynas flaenorol.
Bu ymchwilwyr yr IOPC yn cyfweld â’r swyddog dan rybudd, yn archwilio ei ffôn symudol ac yn ymchwilio i negeseuon testun a lawrlwythwyd o ffôn y fenyw. Ar ddiwedd ein hymchwiliad ym mis Mai y llynedd, fe wnaethom gyflwyno ein hadroddiad i'r heddlu â'n barn bod gan PS Longhurst achos i'w ateb am gamymddwyn difrifol.
Penderfynodd panel disgyblu’r heddlu, a arweiniwyd gan Gadeirydd annibynnol â chymwysterau cyfreithiol, ar 10 Tachwedd fod y swyddog wedi torri safonau ymddygiad proffesiynol mewn nifer o feysydd gan gynnwys gonestrwydd ac uniondeb, ac ymddygiad annheilwng. Penderfynwyd y byddai'n cael ei ddiswyddo heb rybudd.
Dywedodd Cyfarwyddwr yr IOPC yng Nghymru, Catrin Evans: “Tra bod unrhyw gyswllt rhywiol â’r ddynes wedi digwydd pan nad ar ddyletswydd, cafodd PS Longhurst ddigon o gyfle i adrodd am y berthynas ond methodd â gwneud hynny, yn groes i bolisi’r heddlu. Roedd yn amlwg yn dangos diffyg gonestrwydd a chyfaddefodd ymddygiad annerbyniol tuag at garcharor benywaidd a ymddiriedwyd yn ei ofal tra'n cyflawni rôl hanfodol bwysig fel rhingyll y ddalfa. Peth amser yn ddiweddarach, er ei fod yn gwybod am amgylchiadau'r fenyw a’i chyswllt â’r heddlu yn y gorffennol, roedd yn anfon negeseuon ati mewn modd rhywiol mewn ymgais i adnewyddu eu perthynas.
“Yn ein barn ni, roedd ymddygiad PS Longhurst mewn perygl o danseilio hyder y cyhoedd mewn plismona ac roedd yn gyfystyr â chamymddwyn difrifol. Ar ôl ystyried y dystiolaeth mae panel disgyblu’r heddlu wedi penderfynu ei ddiswyddo heb rybudd.”
Bydd PS Longhurst yn awr yn cael ei roi ar restr wahardd yr heddlu.
An act of parliament that provides the core framework of police powers to combat crime and provide codes of practice for the exercise of these powers.
Leads and manages the development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The body that represents the interests of all police constables, sergeants, and inspectors.
Deals with someone’s inability or failure to perform to a satisfactory level, but without breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour.
Focuses on putting an issue right and preventing it from happening again by encouraging those involved to reflect on their actions and learn. It is not a disciplinary process or a disciplinary outcome.
Department within a police force that deals with complaints and conduct matters.
Refers to lower-level misconduct or performance-related issues, which are dealt with in a proportionate and constructive manner.
This means doing what is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the facts and the context in which the complaint has been raised, within the framework of legislation and guidance.
The average is calculated using the individual results of the forces in that most similar force group.
An investigation carried out by IOPC staff.
Carried out by the police under their own direction and control. The IOPC sets the terms of reference and receives the investigation report when it is complete. Complainants have a right of appeal following a supervised investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
This act sets out how the police complaints system operates.
How a police force is run, for example policing standards or policing policy.
An investigation carried out by the police under the direction and control of the IOPC.
The organisation that is responsible for assessing how to deal with a complaint. For example – whether it can be handled locally or reaches the criteria for referral to the IOPC. The appropriate authority may be the chief officer of the police force or the PCC for the force. If a complaint investigation finds that someone has a case to answer for misconduct, the appropriate authority is responsible for arranging any misconduct proceedings. If you make a complaint, the appropriate authority for your case will contact you.
An intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers, it is also responsible for reducing the harm that is caused to people and communities by serious organised crime.
Policing bodies include police and crime commissioners, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
Investigations carried out entirely by the police. Complainants have a right of appeal following a local investigation (unless it is an investigation into a direction and control matter).
IOPC guidance to the police service and police authorities on the handling of complaints.
A complaint or recordable conduct matter that doesn’t need to be referred to the IOPC, but where the seriousness or circumstances justifies referral.
Parameters within which an investigation is conducted.
A person is adversely affected if he or she suffers any form of loss or damage, distress or inconvenience, if he or she is put in danger or is otherwise unduly put at risk of being adversely affected.
This is where a manager deals with the way someone has behaved. It can include: showing the police officer or member of staff how their behaviour fell short of expectations set out in the Standards of Professional Behaviour; identifying expectations for future conduct; or addressing any underlying causes of misconduct.
This could be the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Common Council for the City of London, or the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A flexible process for dealing with complaints that can be adapted to the needs of the complainant. It may involve, for example, providing information and an explanation, an apology, or a meeting between the complainant and the officer involved.
A breach of standards of professional behaviour by police officers or staff so serious it could justify their dismissal.
A matter where no complaint has been received, but where there is an indication that a person serving with the police may have committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
Quarter 1 covers 1 April - 30 June
Quarter 2 covers 1 April - 30 September
Quarter 3 covers 1 April - 31 December
Quarter 4 covers the full financial year (1 April - 31 March).
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
Used to house anyone who has been detained.
Complainants have the right to appeal to the IOPC if a police force did not record their complaint or notify the correct police force if it was made originally to the wrong force.
The purpose of an investigation is to establish the facts behind a complaint, conduct matter, or DSI matter and reach conclusions. An investigator looks into matters and produces a report that sets out and analyses the evidence. There are three types of investigations: local, directed and independent.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
A person who makes a complaint about the conduct of someone serving with the police.
The ending of an ongoing investigation into a complaint, conduct matter or DSI matter. An investigation may only be discontinued if it meets one or more of the grounds for discontinuance set out in law.
List of officers and staff who have been dismissed from policing, or would have been if they had not retired or resigned.
The type of behaviour being complained about. A single complaint case can have one or many allegations attached.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
An independent judicial officer, the coroner enquires into deaths reported to him/her.
A breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour that would justify at least a written warning.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
A record is made of a complaint, giving it formal status as a complaint under the Police Reform Act 2002.
This is a format where information is written in plain English and short sentences.
The IOPC must be notified about specific types of complaint or incidents to be able to decide how they should be dealt with.
No further action may be taken with regard to a complaint if the complainant decides to retract their allegation(s).
Casework involves assessing appeals. Casework staff also have a role in overseeing the police complaints system to help ensure police forces handle complaints in the best possible way.
Disapplication means that a police force may handle a complaint in whatever way it thinks fit, including not dealing with it under complaints legislation. This may only happen in certain circumstances where the complaint fits one or more of the grounds for disapplication set out in law.
Conduct includes acts, omissions, statements and decisions (whether actual, alleged or inferred). For example: language used and the manner or tone of communications.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
You can request a review/appeal if you’re not satisfied with how your complaint has been handled.
