Former Beds Police officer "would've been dismissed" over safeguarding failure says watchdog
PC Lee Beddington quit the force in January
A Bedfordshire Police officer would've been sacked by the force - for gross misconduct - if he'd not already resigned.
That's the finding of an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into the actions of 51 year old former PC Lee Beddington who was based at Bedford.
He faced a disciplinary panel over an incident in October 2023 where he was meant to have put safeguarding in place for a vulnerable pregnant woman - but failed to do so.
She was kidnapped and assaulted four days later.
The hearing concluded that Mr Beddington had breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to duties and responsibilities for failing to conduct adequate enquiries; for not completing the relevant documentation for an adult safeguarding referral; for not contacting the woman and for failing to put in place safeguarding measures.
He will now be placed on the College of Policing's barred list.
IOPC Director Emily Barry said: “Police officers have a responsibility to help keep the public safe. Former PC Beddington failed in his duty to respond appropriately to safety concerns for a pregnant woman, who was clearly in a vulnerable position, contrary to his training and police policies and guidance.
“The effects of the incident on this woman were serious and long-lasting.
“PC Beddington has now been held accountable for his actions and while he has since resigned from the force, as a result of our investigation he’ll be placed on the police barred list and cannot be employed as an officer in the future.”