Wigan police officer resigns before she could be sacked

A Merseyside Police officer based in Wigan has resigned from her position following convictions for assault and criminal damage, avoiding potential dismissal.

Kia Pulford Stone faced charges related to two incidents that occurred on March 14 and 16, 2023, in Wigan.

The first incident involved an assault on a woman, and two days later, Pulford Stone was found to have vandalised the same victim's Vauxhall Adam car.

The former officer admitted to charges of assault by beating and criminal damage during a court appearance at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court in October.

A misconduct hearing was conducted by the Merseyside constabulary’s professional standards department, following which Chief Constable Serena Kennedy concluded that Pulford Stone would have been dismissed for gross misconduct if not for her resignation, stated that the evidence against her was incontrovertible.

Due to her actions, Pulford Stone's name will be added to the College of Policing Barred List, preventing her from pursuing any policing job in the UK.

Chief Constable Kennedy wrote: “The evidence in this case is incontrovertible and the former officer entered a guilty plea and was convicted by a court on the 26th October 2023.

“I also note that this was not a one-off occasion – the victim was subjected to an assault and then damage was caused to her car. As a result, I am satisfied that former officer Pulford Stone has breached the standards of professional behaviour, namely discreditable conduct.

“The communities of Merseyside should quite rightly be able to have trust and confidence that the officers and staff working for Merseyside Police not only uphold the law but also abide by the law.

“The former officer has completely disregarded the standards expected both by the force and the communities of Merseyside by committing and being convicted of a criminal offence.”