Former GMP special constable placed on barred list

The ruling follows an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which began in February 2018 following a complaint from the girl’s father. He reported that Mr Wallace sent three Snapchat messages to his daughter after encountering her and a group of friends while on an anti-social behaviour patrol in Wigan.

The IOPC submitted a report to the Crown Prosecution Service but it was decided that no charges would be placed against Mr Wallace.

The IOPC recommended that there was a case to answer for gross misconduct. Mr Wallace resigned before the gross misconduct hearing.

A panel hearing which took place on February 8 found that the allegations were proven and that standards of professional behaviour for honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct contrary to the police conduct regulations 2012 were found to have been breached.

The panel assessed that the conduct amounted to gross misconduct, and that dismissal would have been justified had the Mr Wallace not resigned. The panel made an order for the former special constable to be placed on the police barred list for life.

IOPC Regional Director Amanda Rowe said: “Mr Wallace’s actions were totally unacceptable and a direct breach of standards of professional behaviour. Mr Wallace made inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old girl he had met during the course of his duties, which included sending her a topless photo of him in bed.

“Mr Wallace has now been placed on the police barred list, which will prevent him from joining policing forces and policing bodies like HMICFRS, OPCCs and the IOPC for life. The ruling shows his actions have absolutely no place in policing.”