Former PC admits improper use of police powers

A former police constable has admitted improper use of police powers over contact he made with a vulnerable witness he met as part of his duties.

Howard Bradley, of Doveridge, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty to corrupt or improper exercise of police powers and privileges by a constable at Stoke-on-Trent Court on Tuesday.

Bradley, who worked at Burton Police Station, was arrested in March 2024 and immediately suspended, said Staffordshire Police.

He is due to be sentenced at the same court on 5 November.

Deputy Chief Constable Caroline Marsh said: "Howard Bradley abused the powers and privileges entrusted to him as a police officer and exploited a vulnerable person he encountered through his duties.

"His actions were wholly unacceptable and fell far below the standards of integrity and professionalism that the public rightly expect from us."

She said "as soon as concerns were raised" the force's anti-corruption unit started an investigation and Bradley was suspended.

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