A disgraced policeman who took and shared photos of crime scenes on WhatsApp and called a stab victim ‘a d***’ has been barred from the force after his girlfriend reported him when they split up.
PC Michael Atkin of South Yorkshire Police used his personal phone to take the pictures while on the job before sending them to his partner.
A misconduct hearing at South Yorkshire Police HQ yesterday was told Atkin sent one photo of a stab victim along with the words: ‘He’s a d***’.
On another occasion, he WhatsApped his partner with a picture of a man in hospital with a caption indicating he ‘deserved’ what he got, the hearing was told.
Atkin also messaged a photo of an elderly woman, it was heard, along with a message saying she has dementia and that she was ‘keeping him company’.
In addition to those photos, the accused also took pictures of crime scenes and suspects in custody, the hearing was told.
It was heard Atkin sent a total of 34 inappropriate images, 15 of which were linked to incidents logged by the force.
A misconduct hearing at South Yorkshire Police HQ yesterday heard PC Michael Atkin sent one photo of a stab victim, along with the words ‘he’s a d***’, on WhatsApp
Atkin’s offending came to light when his concerned partner, who had received the pictures, sent screenshots of his messages to South Yorkshire Police.
The woman, who remained anonymous, was described as his ‘former partner’.
The misconduct hearing panel heard Atkin chose not to attend yesterday’s hearing despite being given notice of it. He also elected not to be legally represented.
It also heard Atkin accepts responsibility for his actions and understands what he did amounts to gross misconduct.
He did not dispute any of the evidence against him, it was heard, and has already resigned from South Yorkshire Police.
The hearing was made up of the chairperson, Chief Constable Stephen Watson, and several other police officials.
The panel ruled Atkin would have been dismissed had he not already resigned and that he will now be barred.
Atkin worked as a policeman for eight years, it was heard, and was with South Yorkshire Police during the period of his offending between April 2018 and June 2019.
Chief Constable Watson said: ‘Former PC Atkin took the opportunity to photograph members of the public at their most vulnerable.
‘He shared the photos with comments ridiculing them. Former PC Atkin’s misconduct was an abuse of trust, he has abused his position.
‘The nature of his behaviour caused serious harm to the public confidence in police.’
It was heard Atkin sent a total of 34 inappropriate images, 15 of which were linked to incidents logged by the force. He has been barred from South Yorkshire Police. Pictured, stock photo
The police official added: ‘I conclude that he is highly culpable for his misconduct.
‘Former PC Atkin would have been dismissed had he not ceased to be a member of South Yorkshire Police. He should now be entered on to the barred list.’
Superintendent Delphine Waring outlined the offending to the panel and described the evidence against Atkin as ‘incontrovertible’ and the breaches as ‘offensive’.
She told the panel Atkin took photos of crime scenes, suspects and people under his care, including the elderly woman with dementia.
‘He mocks members of the public including an elderly woman with dementia,’ Superintendent Waring.
‘It’s my view that Atkin’s behaviour demonstrates an unsuitability for the role.’
A police official speaking on behalf of the accused said Atkin sent the photos because he felt ‘under pressure’ to provide his partner with ‘proof’ he was working late.
The images only went to his partner, it was heard.
Chief Constable Watson said: ‘Following the fact that we know the former PC Atkin has admitted that he’s responsible for the alleged behaviour and having heard the undisputed evidence I am satisfied that the allegations are proven to the required standard.
‘I’m also satisfied that his behaviour amounts to gross misconduct.’
The official told the panel in instances such as this they could give an officer a final warning or dismiss them without notice.
The police official speaking on behalf of Atkin said: ‘PC Atkin fully admits his regrettable behaviour.
‘He wishes to apologise unreservedly. At no time was it his intention to upset or demean people.
‘He felt a need to justify himself, the motivation was simply to prove he was at work.
‘He wishes to wholeheartedly and unreservedly apologise to those depicted, the force and the chair.’