WIREDGOV

A former West Midlands Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) was yesterday (Wednesday 2 December) jailed following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

We investigated the conduct of Kevin Hathaway, aged 38, following allegations that he had formed a sexual relationship with a woman he had met during the course of his duties in 2018. He resigned from the force during our investigation, which began in August 2019 after a referral from the force.

On completion of our enquiries in March we submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which decided to charge him with one count of misconduct in public office.

Kevin Hathaway was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday to 12 months’ imprisonment, having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing on 6 November.

West Midlands Police referred the matter to us after receiving anonymous information that the former PCSO was regularly visiting a woman at her home while on late shifts, after she had initially reported an attempted burglary. Her concerns over the attempted burglary had left her with extreme anxiety.

Evidence gathered by our investigator showed there were nearly 2,300 calls and messages on his work device that were exchanged between him and the woman over a one-year period.

When he was interviewed by our investigator, he accepted that flirtatious texts had developed into a sexual relationship with the woman, when he knew that was in breach of the professional code of conduct. During the interview he apologised for what he had done.

IOPC Regional Director Derrick Campbell yesterday said:

“To maintain trust, police officers and PCSOs must maintain professional boundaries with members of the public. Regrettably, Kevin Hathaway chose to abuse the position of trust he was in and has now paid a heavy price.

“I hope this sends a clear message to any officer who misconduct themselves in such a way, that they face serious consequences.”

During our investigation we analysed the officer’s phone records and work devices, location data from the police vehicles he used, and gathered statements from a number of witnesses.