Wasim Bashir, a 55-year-old Bradford-based former West Yorkshire Police detective, was found guilty of misconduct in public office for pursuing a sexual relationship with a woman who had reported serious sexual offences and domestic abuse. The contact occurred without any policing reason while he was investigating the case. Bashir had 28 years' service and prior experience as a specialist in rape investigations and had retired in June. He was cleared of a second count on a judge's directions, remanded in custody, and scheduled for sentencing on August 29. The conduct amounted to an abuse of power that undermined public trust and exposed survivors' vulnerability.
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. Despite being an officer with 28 years' service, Bashir blatantly disregarded the rules designed to protect the public and maintain confidence in the police. His actions can only have undermined trust in policing.
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. 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.
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