Former Police Officer Sentenced to 18 Months for Misconduct in Public Office

A former police constable from West Mercia, Nick Peacock, is facing an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to misconduct in public office. This came after he engaged in inappropriate contact with a vulnerable woman he met during his official duties.

The incident occurred when Peacock was investigating an assault case between February and April 2022. Instead of pursuing a thorough investigation, he opted to have a sexual relationship with the suspect involved. Consequently, he neglected his duty to conduct a proper inquiry, leading to the false closure of the case under the pretext of no witnesses and lack of victim support.

The misconduct was uncovered by West Mercia Police on April 22, 2022, resulting in Peacock’s immediate suspension. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) handled the case, revealing that Peacock’s actions directly compromised the ongoing investigation due to his relationship with the suspect.

The IOPC investigation found that on March 4, 2022, Peacock engaged in sexual activity with the suspect at her residence while on duty. This behavior raised serious concerns about an abuse of power to gratify personal desires, undermining public trust in law enforcement.

T/Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Jones denounced Peacock’s actions as dishonest and lacking integrity. Despite his resignation from the force in March 2024, the suspect in the initially overlooked assault case has been charged following a thorough reinvestigation. This case serves as a reminder of the critical need for officers to uphold professionalism and ethical conduct, especially in dealing with vulnerable individuals.