A retired police officer who sucked a female colleague's finger and asked another "When are we going to get our hot naked bodies together?" would have been dismissed without notice if he were still serving, a disciplinary panel ruled.
PC Robin White, who retired from West Midlands Police weeks before this month's proceedings, was found to have committed gross misconduct after a string of unwanted sexual behaviour toward two female colleagues, known only as Witness A and Witness B. The panel, chaired by former Warwickshire Police chief constable Debra Tedds, ruled White abused his position for sexual purposes.
Pattern of unwanted behaviour
White "displayed a pattern of unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature through words and actions" toward the two women, and repeatedly kissed both on their heads. The panel heard that in late April 2024, he grabbed Witness A's finger, placed it in his mouth and "sucked it from the bottom to the top" while in a station briefing room, before he "smiled and started to laugh."
On June 6, 2024, White was alone with Witness B in a patrol car when he discussed buying her a handbag with a "payout" he was expecting "following an accident." He said words to the effect of "If I buy you one, what can I expect in return?", adding that he could go to "Wednesbury Road for a fiver" — the panel being told that Wednesbury Road is a red light area frequented by sex workers.
Panel finds behaviour sexually motivated
Two days later, White allegedly said words to Witness B to the effect of "When are we going to get our hot naked bodies together?" while in a station refreshments room. The panel heard how both women "seemed to underplay the events complained of," describing White's behaviour as "not sexualised" but "creepy and odd."
The report read: "The panel found that White's actions were deliberate, intentional and targeted, aiming his actions at two female officers, both much younger in age and significantly less experienced in role compared to White. Despite what Witness A and Witness B perceived, the panel had no doubt that White's behaviour was sexually motivated and was a subtle form of harassment. He abused his position of seniority for sexual purposes."
Reputational damage to police service
Ms Tedds said: "The harm caused is mainly the reputational damage to the police service which already suffers from the public concern as to the profession’s attitude to women and young girls. The public would have no confidence in the former officer dealing fairly and professionally with female victims given his conduct. The panel also noted evidence of low-level psychological harm to Witness A and Witness B who both comment as to how they found the former officer's conduct towards them, e.g. 'creepy'. There is ongoing public concern as to the attitude towards the treatment of women and girls by police officers, and the actions of the former officer exacerbate such concern."
White was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct. The panel noted White's "long service and the commendations he received early in his service." He did not attend the hearing, had no legal representation, and no police federation representative was present on his behalf. He retired from the force in July 2026, ahead of his misconduct hearing on August 10.
