Police officer who assaulted woman quit force before she could be sacked
A disgraced police officer who admitted assault by beating and criminal damage left her force before she could be sacked.
Kia Pulford Stone, who was a police constable based in Merseyside, was charged following separate incidents which took place in Wigan, Greater Manchester, on March 4 and March 16, 2023.
She assaulted a woman and in the second incident damaged the same victim’s Vauxhall Adam car.
Pulford Stone, from Wigan, pleaded guilty to both offences at Manchester Magistrates’ Court during October 2023.
She only became a full-time officer with Merseyside Police the same month that the offences had occurred, according to her LinkedIn profile.
During Merseyside Police’s Professional Standards Department hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Serena Kennedy earlier this month, it was concluded that Pulford Stone would have been sacked for gross misconduct had she remained with the force.
Ms Kennedy, in a decision notice posted by the force, wrote: “The evidence in this case is incontrovertible and the former officer entered a guilty plea and was convicted by a court on October 26 2023.
Blocked from policing roles in Britain
“I also note that this was not a one-off occasion - the victim was subjected to an assault and then damage was caused to her car. As a result, I am satisfied that former officer Pulford Stone has breached the standards of professional behaviour, namely discreditable conduct.
“The communities of Merseyside should quite rightly be able to have trust and confidence that the officers and staff working for Merseyside Police not only uphold the law but also abide by the law.
“The former officer has completely disregarded the standards expected both by the force and the communities of Merseyside by committing and being convicted of a criminal offence.”
Pulford Stone has been blocked from taking on a policing role in Britain by being added to the College of Policing Barred List.
Det Supt Cheryl Rhodes, from Merseyside’s Professional Standards Department, said: “Merseyside Police is committed to ensuring that everyone meets the high expectations of the public and when they don’t we will take robust action.
“Our officers are the public face of Merseyside Police and it is vital that our communities feel confident that we will hold officers and staff to account when required.
“Merseyside Police rightly takes a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who commits assault or causes criminal damage. The unacceptable action of individuals will not be allowed to damage the good name built up by the vast majority of our officers and staff who do an exemplary job and work day in, day out to ensure that all of our communities are protected.”
