A WEST Yorkshire Police officer started an inappropriate sexual relationship with a woman he met when attending a domestic violence incident, a court has heard.

Former PC Declan Middleton, 33, who was based in the Bradford district, had denied three counts of misconduct in public office between May 2020 and January 2021 but was found guilty on two counts by a jury at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said PC Middleton's "predatory behaviour" has "no place in policing".

IOPC investigation

The IOPC said it started its investigation in January 2021 following a referral from the force, which had been contacted by a woman making a complaint.

West Yorkshire Police (WYP) made two further referrals to the IOPC covering the additional matters on March 12 and March 31, 2021.

The IOPC said its probe established that the former officer visited the woman’s home address on May 26, 2020, to obtain a witness statement and provided his personal phone number for her to contact him.

Two days later, PC Middleton returned to the woman’s home in plain clothes and they had consensual sex.

In the following week, PC Middleton continued to send messages of a sexual nature and attended her address on more than one occasion.

After the woman tried to distance herself from the officer, the court heard PC Middleton sent messages to ask that she did not disclose their relationship to anyone.

Evidence showed PC Middleton had abused his position as a police officer by engaging in a sexual relationship with a woman who he met after attending a domestic violence incident.

After IOPC investigators arrested PC Middleton, they conducted premises searches and seized numerous devices including his personal mobile phone.

Data retrieved from his phone provided evidence he had sent inappropriate messages to two other women he met during the course of his duties, said the IOPC.

Behaviour 'seriously risked undermining public confidence in the police'

IOPC Regional Director Emily Barry said: “PC Middleton’s predatory behaviour was unacceptable and has no place in policing.

"The fact he tried to cover his tracks was evidence that he knew what he was doing was wrong.

"This abuse of trust seriously risked undermining public confidence in the police."

She added: “The verdict today should provide a clear message that any officer who misconducts themselves in such a way can and will face serious consequences for their actions.”

Former officer placed on barred list

In a WYP gross misconduct hearing, back in December 2022, PC Middleton was found to have breached the police professional standards of discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity, orders and instructions, ethics and authority, respect and courtesy.

A police disciplinary panel ruled he would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned.

The former officer was placed on the barred list, meaning he cannot work for the police service in the future.

Middleton is due to be sentenced on November 22.