Gross misconduct proven against former Bedfordshire Police officer
A former Bedfordshire Police officer who failed to take adequate steps to safeguard a woman after concerns were raised for her welfare, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had he not already resigned, a disciplinary panel has found.
Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), former PC, Lee Beddington, 51 and based out of Bedford, faced allegations that between October 2 and 6, 2023, the officer’s actions breached professional behaviour standards.
The former officer, who resigned in January 2025, was assigned to investigate a concern for a woman’s welfare on October 2, 2023. PC Beddington was tasked with safeguarding the woman, who was in a vulnerable position, and advised by a colleague to make an immediate adult safeguarding referral.
Four days later, on October 6, the woman, who was four months pregnant, was kidnapped and assaulted. No safeguarding measures had been put in place by PC Beddington prior to this incident.
Following a two-day gross misconduct hearing, a panel found that the former officer had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to duties and responsibilities for failing to conduct adequate inquiries; for not completing the relevant documentation for an adult safeguarding referral; for not contacting the woman and for failing to put in place safeguarding measures on or after October 2, 2023.
The officer will now be placed on the College of Policing’s barred list.
IOPC Director Emily Barry said: “Police officers have a responsibility to help keep the public safe. Former PC Beddington failed in his duty to respond appropriately to safety concerns for a pregnant woman, who was clearly in a vulnerable position, contrary to his training and police policies and guidance.
“The effects of the incident on this woman were serious and long-lasting.
“PC Beddington has now been held accountable for his actions and while he has since resigned from the force, as a result of our investigation he’ll be placed on the police barred list and cannot be employed as an officer in the future.”
The IOPC’s investigation began following a conduct referral from the force in October 2023.