A police officer has been sacked after he pursued an inappropriate relationship with a domestic abuse victim.
Kashif Saghir, who was working as a response officer for Derbyshire Police, was handed a nine-month jail term – suspended for 12 months – after being found guilty of misconduct in public office.
The officer met the woman in the course of his duties in September 2024.
He gave the victim, who had a young daughter, his personal mobile phone number and the pair began speaking.
The following week Saghir attended the woman’s house with a cake for her daughter’s birthday.
When the woman said that her daughter needed to go to bed, Saghir followed her upstairs into her child’s bedroom where he cuddled the girl and kissed her on her head while reading her a bedtime story.
Days later Saghir turned up at her house again and stayed late into the evening.
The woman reported Saghir to Derbyshire Police after becoming increasingly concerned about his behaviour.
The College of Policing states that officers are strictly prohibited from forming relationships with vulnerable members of the public who they meet in the course of their duties.
Saghir, 23, and from Nottingham, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in October 2024. He was then charged following a police investigation.
A court trial was held after he denied the charge but he was later found guilty at Leicester Crown Court.
An accelerated Derbyshire police misconduct hearing was held on Tuesday (July 7) over Saghir’s actions.
Chair of the hearing, Chief Constable David Sandall of Leicestershire Police, concluded the officer should be dismissed without notice.
The hearing report revealed Kashir admitted to the woman in text messages that “he could lose his job on account of the relationship”.
But it also stated there was no evidence of sexual impropriety. It added the officer’s remorse was “clearly genuine” and during the hearing he “conducted himself in dignity”.
Michelle Shooter, temporary Deputy Chief Constable of Derbyshire police, said: “Police officers and staff are expected, at all times, to protect our communities – in particular vulnerable victims of crime.
“Kashif Saghir broke that trust and pursued a relationship that he knew to be not only improper, but illegal.
“It is essential that our communities know our officers and staff will always work with the utmost integrity and, as a force, we will not stand for those who behave in this manner.
“The vast majority of officers and staff work round the clock to keep the people of Derbyshire safe and the behaviour of individuals like Saghir undermine those who, on a daily basis, put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.
“We will continue to relentlessly pursue those who seek to undermine their colleagues and ensure that our communities are protected.”
Saghir has the right to appeal the misconduct hearing outcome.
By Nigel Slater, Local Democracy Reporter