Former West Mercia Police officer guilty of misconduct in public office

Ex-PC Mark Cranfield was also found guilty of a computer misuse offence after using force intelligence systems to research information about the woman and his family.

It followed an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after West Mercia Police had made a mandatory conduct referral in July 2021.

At Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday (December 19), he was convicted of two charges of misconduct in public office. The 52-year-old was found not guilty of a third charge of misconduct in public office.

He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of computer misuse.

IOPC regional director Derrick Campbell: “PC Cranfield’s actions prevented allegations of a criminal offence being fully investigated, following his pursuit of a relationship with a woman who was in a vulnerable situation. Alongside that, he accessed police systems without a policing purpose and used his work mobile phone to look at, share and keep evidence, without a policing purpose.

“The officer’s admission of using police intelligence systems in order to obtain personal information about his family is extremely serious. He had no legitimate reason for doing so and his actions have the potential to damage the public’s confidence in police officers.”

In October 2018, the woman reported being the subject of revenge porn, by her former partner. She provided a statement and evidence to PC Cranfield.

“In July 2021, the woman told West Mercia Police during an unconnected investigation, that PC Cranfield had made her feel uncomfortable and that he had sent her a Facebook ‘friends request’, as well as several messages containing intimate details about his personal life,” the IOPC said.

“She did not want any further contact with him and in November 2018, withdrew her complaint against her ex-partner. PC Cranfield continued to message the woman, which led to her changing her mobile number.”

When the officer’s work mobile phone was examined, two photos and a video which had been submitted as evidence by the woman, were found. He had then shared these via WhatsApp.

An audit of West Mercia Police intelligence systems also showed how PC Cranfield had researched information about the woman who had made the revenge porn complaint. The same audit revealed that he had also used police systems to search for information about his relatives.

PC Cranfield, who was based in Shropshire, retired from the force in May 2022.

“When our investigation concluded in September 2022, we sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service which authorised the criminal charges,” the IOPC said.

“We also determined that he should face a misconduct hearing for potential gross misconduct. We will now liaise with the force on the next steps in relation to this.”

Former PC Cranfield will be sentenced in February 2025.