A police constable who failed to protect a pregnant woman, who was later kidnapped and assaulted, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had he not already resigned, a disciplinary panel has ruled.
PC Lee Beddington, aged 51, was the subject of a disciplinary hearing by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after allegations that he failed to meet professional behaviour standards.
The Failure to Act
The incident unfolded on 2 October 2023 when PC Beddington investigated concerns regarding a vulnerable woman. Despite being advised to make an adult safeguarding referral, the officer did not take immediate action.
Just four days later, the woman, who was four months pregnant, was kidnapped and assaulted.
The panel found that Beddington had breached the police standards of professional behaviour, particularly regarding his duties and responsibilities. His failures included:
- Not conducting adequate enquiries into the woman’s situation
- Failing to complete the necessary documentation for a safeguarding referral
- Not contacting the woman or implementing safeguarding measures
Consequences and Accountability
The misconduct hearing, which lasted two days, concluded that PC Beddington’s actions were not an oversight or mistake, but a flagrant disregard for safeguarding protocols.
Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy, who chaired the hearing, said:
“Former officer Lee Beddington’s failure to carry out his duties and responsibilities left a vulnerable woman at further risk of harm. This was not a simple oversight or mistake, but a flagrant disregard for safeguarding.”
The IOPC has now placed PC Beddington on the College of Policing’s barred list, meaning he will never be eligible for future employment as a police officer.
IOPC Director Emily Barry remarked that Beddington’s actions were in contradiction to his training, police policies, and guidance, adding that the effects of the incident on the victim were serious and long-lasting.
Resignation and Ongoing Consequences
PC Beddington resigned from his position in January 2025, prior to the conclusion of the misconduct hearing. The disciplinary panel ruled that had he not resigned, he would have been dismissed.
The Bedfordshire Police referred the case to the IOPC in October 2023, and following an investigation, the IOPC decided to proceed with retrospective gross misconduct proceedings in April 2024.
This case highlights the critical importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the responsibility that police officers have in ensuring their protection.
