WIREDGOV

A former special police sergeant (SPS) with Dyfed-Powys Police would have been dismissed if still serving a police disciplinary panel has concluded, following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

SPS Jack Brennan issued a Fixed Penalty Notice to a 19-year-old woman on June 4 last year for breaching coronavirus restrictions. Around 90 minutes later, after obtaining the woman’s mobile phone number from the notice, he sent her a series of text messages asking her to go for ‘a coffee or something’ once restrictions were lifted and asking if she was single. The woman later reported the officer’s behaviour to police.  

Following a referral from Dyfed Powys Police in July 2020, the IOPC began an independent investigation. The investigation gathered statements from the woman, other officers who were present when she provided her details, and written responses from then SPS Brennan. We also examined relevant policies.

At the investigation’s conclusion four months later (October 2020), Dyfed-Powys Police agreed with our view that the officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct. At the hearing held by the force recently (08 April 2021) a police panel, overseen by a legally-qualified independent chair, found the allegations proven. SPS Brennan had resigned from the force in August 2020.

IOPC Director for Wales, Catrin Evans, recently said:

“We found there was evidence the then special sergeant had made efforts to instigate an improper personal relationship with the young woman only a matter of minutes after having professional contact with her. She reported that she felt uncomfortable and intimidated by his unprofessional actions.

“The police service’s Code of Ethics makes clear that officers should not pursue an improper emotional relationship with a person they come into contact with in the course of their work, who may be vulnerable to an abuse of trust or power. Such conduct has the potential to seriously undermine the confidence of the public in policing.

“The police disciplinary panel has found the officer breached professional standards and imposed a sanction of dismissal had he still been serving. The public have a right to expect that police officers maintain the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.”

Former SPS Brennan will be placed on a list of former officers who are barred from working for the police service in the future.