Police Chief Resigns Amid Scandal: Affair with Junior Officer Exposed
A former police chief in West Yorkshire resigned following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a junior officer 17 years his junior, violating Covid restrictions and abusing his position.
In a shocking turn of events, Daniel Greenwood, a former chief superintendent with West Yorkshire Police, has resigned amidst allegations of misconduct. The 41-year-old officer faced accusations of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with Caitlin Howarth, a probationary constable 17 years his junior.
The misconduct hearing, held on September 18, 2024, revealed that Greenwood admitted to abusing his position by having intimate relations with the then 21-year-old Howarth while on duty. This behavior not only violated professional standards but also contravened Covid-19 restrictions, which Greenwood was responsible for overseeing in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
The affair began in late 2020, shortly after Howarth joined the force. Greenwood had previously assisted her with her application to West Yorkshire Police, the fourth largest police force in England and Wales. Their relationship quickly escalated, with the pair exchanging flirtatious messages and explicit images.
The tribunal heard that the couple engaged in "consensual dressed sexual activity" in October 2020, followed by two instances of sexual intercourse at Howarth's residence in January and July 2021. These encounters occurred while Greenwood was on duty and during a period of strict Covid-19 restrictions in the UK.
As rumors of the affair spread, causing "tittle-tattle and gossip in the ranks," Greenwood attempted to cover his tracks. He reportedly instructed Howarth to delete their messages and even searched online for information on recovering iPhone data before attempting a factory reset on his device.
The situation further deteriorated when Howarth entered a relationship with Joseph Shaw, who was later imprisoned for involvement in a large-scale drug operation. In a serious breach of protocol, Howarth showed Shaw a photograph from a crime scene depicting heroin-filled laundry bags during a date in October 2021.
Greenwood, who was not present at the hearing, admitted to gross misconduct. His lawyer stated that he was a "high-functioning alcoholic" suffering from PTSD, highlighting the higher rates of alcoholism and mental health issues among police officers compared to the general population.
The tribunal is set to decide on September 19, 2024, whether Greenwood's conduct would have resulted in dismissal had he not resigned. This case underscores the importance of adherence to the Police Code of Ethics and the potential consequences of misconduct in public office, which can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the UK.
As for Howarth, who has also left the force, she faced potential legal consequences. However, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped proceedings against her on September 17, 2024, just a day before Greenwood's hearing.
This scandal has brought attention to the need for stricter oversight and transparency in police conduct, a topic that has gained importance since police misconduct hearings became presumptively public in 2015. The case also highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in maintaining professional standards and addressing issues such as abuse of power and conflicts of interest within their ranks.
