A former West Yorkshire Police detective has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison after being convicted of pursuing a sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman who had reported being sexually assaulted.
Wasim Bashir, 55, who was working as a detective constable in Bradford District at the time of his arrest, was found guilty of one count of misconduct in a public office following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court. The court heard how the veteran officer, who had 28 years of service and specialist training in rape investigations, engaged in sexual activity with the victim on three separate occasions.
Jailing Bashir for 27 months, the judge condemned his behaviour as “a gross breach of trust” that struck at the heart of public confidence in policing. Despite retiring from the force in June, Bashir will still face internal misconduct proceedings that could see him permanently barred from any future employment in policing.
Victim Contacted Days After Reporting Sexual Assault
The court was told that Bashir first met the victim when he and a female colleague took her statement after she came forward to report serious sexual offences and domestic violence in 2020. Within days of this initial contact, Bashir reached out to the woman privately, asking if she was okay.
What followed was a calculated abuse of position. The pair agreed to meet for coffee at the Xscape Centre in Castleford, West Yorkshire. Bashir then drove the victim to a quiet location where they engaged in sexual contact in his car. Evidence presented at trial revealed this was not an isolated incident – sexual activity, including intercourse, occurred on three separate occasions whilst Bashir remained part of the team investigating the woman’s case.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation also uncovered that Bashir had posted photographs of himself and the woman online, presenting them as a couple, without her consent. This brazen behaviour demonstrated a complete disregard for professional boundaries and the victim’s privacy.
Judge Directs Acquittal on Second Charge
Whilst convicted on one count, Bashir was cleared of a second charge of misconduct in public office after the judge directed the jury to find him not guilty. This charge had alleged he inappropriately contacted two other women during the course of his duties between August 2019 and January 2022.
The acquittal on the second charge does not diminish the severity of his convicted offence. The court heard how Bashir’s actions represented a fundamental betrayal of the trust placed in him as a police officer, particularly given his specialist role investigating sexual offences.
“Abhorrent” Behaviour Condemned by Force
Detective Superintendent Natalie Dawson, Deputy Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, did not mince words in her condemnation of the former officer’s actions. For a police officer to pursue a sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman who had come forward to report being victim of a sexual offence is nothing short of abhorrent,” she said.
The force emphasised they had taken swift action once the misconduct was reported, immediately suspending Bashir from duty. A comprehensive investigation followed under the direction of the IOPC’s Anti-Corruption Unit to identify any other potential victims and understand the full extent of his inappropriate contact with members of the public.
We took swift action to suspend Bashir from duty after potential misconduct in a public office was reported,” Detective Superintendent Dawson confirmed. “A comprehensive investigation was then carried out under the direction of the IOPC to understand other victims he had had contact with and the nature of this contact.”
Specialist Training Made Actions Even More Egregious
IOPC Director Emily Barry highlighted that Bashir’s extensive experience and specialist training made his actions particularly reprehensible. As a detective with nearly three decades of service who had received specific training on abuse of position for sexual purposes, Bashir knew full well that his conduct was unacceptable.
As a police officer, DC Bashir held significant power so to abuse his position for a sexual purpose was an invidious and corrupt use of that power,” Ms Barry said. “Despite being an officer with 28 years’ service, Bashir blatantly disregarded the rules designed to protect the public and maintain confidence in the police.”
The fact that Bashir had worked as a specialist investigator of rape and serious sexual offences meant he would have been acutely aware of the vulnerability of victims coming forward to report such crimes. His training would have emphasised the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and the severe consequences of breaching them.
Growing Problem of Abuse of Position
Bashir’s case reflects a wider issue within UK policing. According to IOPC data, abuse of position for sexual purpose (APSP) has become the most common form of corruption they investigate, accounting for approximately 25% of corruption referrals and almost 60% of corruption investigations in 2020.
The true scale of the problem is likely even higher, as many victims do not report misconduct due to fear, shame, or a belief they are not being exploited. A joint study of 514 sexual misconduct cases from 33 UK police forces found that less than half of perpetrators were subjects of intelligence reports before being investigated.
Recent statistics show that ‘sexual conduct’ allegations made up 12% of all recordable conduct matter allegations finalised in the year ending March 2024, an increase from 10% the previous year. This upward trend has prompted renewed focus on tackling the issue across all forces.
Misconduct Proceedings to Continue Despite Retirement
Although Bashir retired from West Yorkshire Police whilst under investigation, the force has confirmed that misconduct proceedings will continue. This is crucial to ensure he cannot simply escape accountability through retirement and potentially seek employment in policing elsewhere.
“Former DC Bashir has retired from the organisation, but we will still continue with misconduct proceedings with a view to him being banned from gaining any further employment in the policing profession,” Detective Superintendent Dawson stated.
This approach reflects a harder line being taken against officers who abuse their position, ensuring that resignation or retirement cannot be used as an escape route from facing consequences for serious misconduct.
Impact on Public Trust
The case has inevitably damaged public confidence in policing, particularly among vulnerable individuals who may need to report crimes. The IOPC emphasised that such behaviour undermines the fundamental principle that police should protect, not exploit, those who come to them for help.
I would like to praise the courage of the woman who came forward to report DC Bashir’s behaviour which fell far short of the standards expected of a police officer,” said IOPC Director Emily Barry. We would encourage any individual who believes they may have been a victim of this type of offending by a police officer to come forward and report it with the confidence it will be taken seriously.
Call for Vigilance and Reporting
The case serves as what West Yorkshire Police called “a timely reminder” for the public to report any concerns about police officers’ or staff members’ interactions. The force stressed that victims of abuse of position may not always recognise themselves as victims, making it crucial for anyone with concerns to come forward.
It doesn’t matter whether someone has encountered the police as a victim, witness or suspect for an offence, they should expect any police officer or staff member that they come into contact with to behave professionally at all times,” the force stated.
Members of the public can report concerns about police conduct through official complaints procedures, whilst police officers and staff can use confidential whistleblowing lines to report suspected misconduct by colleagues.
Wider Context and Reform Efforts
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has developed specific training materials on abuse of position for sexual purpose, including a video that clearly outlines what constitutes abuse of position, its impact on victims, and the consequences for offenders. This training is now mandatory across forces.
The College of Policing guidance on ‘Maintaining a professional boundary between police and members of the public’ explicitly states that officers and staff must not engage in or pursue sexual or improper emotional relationships with any member of the public they have come into contact with during their work – whether on or off duty.
As Bashir begins his prison sentence, his case stands as a stark warning to any officer who might consider abusing their position. The message from both the courts and police leadership is clear: there is no place in modern policing for those who exploit vulnerable people, and efforts to identify and prosecute such individuals will continue to intensify.
For the victim in this case, who showed remarkable courage in coming forward, justice has been served. But the wider challenge of rebuilding trust and ensuring such abuses cannot occur remains an ongoing priority for British policing.
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