A Greater Manchester Police officer 'targeted' a vulnerable victim of domestic violence for a 'romantic or sexual relationship'. The woman was so scared she temporarily left her home with her children. Former constable Forhan Ahmed would have been sacked had he not already resigned, the force has said after a misconduct hearing.
Hearing findings
GMP's Chief Resources Officer Lee Rawlinson, who chaired the hearing, called his actions 'completely unacceptable' and 'at odds' with guidance on 'maintaining a professional boundary between police and members of the public'.
"It is wholly unacceptable for police officers to contact victims of domestic violence in an inappropriate, unprofessional or unnecessary manner, given the inherent vulnerability of such individuals and the duty placed upon officers to protect, safeguard and maintain public confidence," Mr Rawlinson said in a now-published ruling. "His conduct represents a serious departure from the standards expected of a police officer."
Officer's defence rejected
Mr Ahmed didn't attend the hearing and wasn't represented. He accepted beforehand that his conduct amounted to gross misconduct, which Mr Rawlinson said he found to be proven. In a prepared statement, Mr Ahmed said he 'thought he was messaging a different person' other than the victim of domestic abuse, known in the ruling only as Ms A.
But Mr Rawlinson said he found that to be 'a very unlikely scenario'. He said it was 'more likely than not' that the former PC had 'purposefully contacted Ms A' after first meeting her during a 'concern for welfare incident'.
Impact on victim
"Further, having considered the evidence submitted by Ms A in her statement of complaint former PC Ahmed has indeed made the contact and comments alleged," added Mr Rawlinson in the ruling. He said he found Mr Ahmed 'targeted' Ms A, and that his culpability was 'intentional and deliberate'.
"For the purpose of clarity, I find that in this case former police officer Forhan Ahmed has indeed abused his position of authority and contacted a vulnerable victim of domestic abuse through intentional deliberate actions specifically targeting Ms A for the purpose of establishing a romantic or sexual relationship," Mr Rawlinson said.
He said Ms A was 'distressed by his unwanted contact' and felt 'uncomfortable and uneasy' by it. Mr Rawlinson added in the ruling: "I also note Ms A was so concerned she had to move herself and her children temporarily from her home for fear of former PC Ahmed showing up at her house. Former PC Forhan Ahmed's behaviour was clearly below the standards expected of a police officer."
"He has actively sought out a vulnerable individual for his own personal gains. He has caused distress to Ms A and has potentially harmed the reputation of policing through his actions Had former PC Ahmed not resigned from policing I would have dismissed him with immediate effect."
His name will be added to the College of Policing's Barred List, preventing him from working within policing again. No further details - or on which division of GMP Mr Forhan was based - have been revealed.
