PC Robin White would have been dismissed from West Midlands Police had he not retired, a misconduct hearing has found, after he was found to have 'abused his position for a sexual motive' towards two junior female colleagues.
The hearing was told how White, who was working in the Black Country, made 'odd' comments and 'subtly harassed' two junior officers. He spoke about going to a red light district in the region, kissed his colleagues on the head, and in one incident, grabbed a woman's finger and sucked it.
Incidents at Bloxwich Police Station
In late April 2024, White grabbed Witness A's finger, placed it in his mouth and 'sucked it from the bottom to the top' while in the briefing room at Bloxwich Police Station. He then 'smiled and started to laugh', the panel heard.
On June 6, 2024, White was alone with Witness B in a patrol car when he discussed buying her a handbag with a 'payout' he was expecting 'following an accident'. He said words to the effect of "If I buy you one, what can I expect in return?", adding that he could go to 'Wednesbury Road for a fiver'. The panel heard how Wednesbury Road is a red light area where sex workers operate.
Two days later, White said to Witness B words to the effect of "when are we going to get our hot naked bodies together?" while in the refreshments room at Bloxwich Police Station. He also kissed Witness A and Witness B on the head 'on a number of occasions'.
Panel finds gross misconduct
The panel found that White 'displayed a pattern of unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature through words and actions towards female colleagues'. The female colleagues - known only as Witness A and Witness B - were 'considerably younger and more junior in service' than him.
A report from panel chair Debra Tedds read: "The harm caused is mainly the reputational damage to the police service which already suffers from the public concern as to the profession’s attitude to women and young girls."
The panel also noted evidence of low-level psychological harm to Witness A and Witness B who both comment as to how they found the former officer's conduct towards them, e.g. 'creepy'. The report read: "The panel found that White's actions were deliberate, intentional and targeted, aiming his actions at two female officers, both much younger in age and significantly less experienced in role compared to White."
Sexually motivated behaviour
Despite what Witness A and Witness B perceived, the panel had no doubt that White's behaviour was sexually motivated and was a subtle form of harassment by him. "He abused his position of seniority for sexual purposes," the report said.
The panel heard how both women 'seemed to underplay the events complained of', describing White's behaviour as 'not sexualised' but 'creepy and odd'. The women 'looked to him for guidance and instruction' - instead he 'abused his position for a sexual motive'.
White was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct. The panel said it noted White's 'long service and the commendations he received early in his service'.
White did not attend the hearing, did not have any legal representation and there was no police federation representative present on his behalf. He retired from the force in July 2026 - ahead of his misconduct hearing on August 10. The panel found that his actions amounted to gross misconduct, and he would have been dismissed had he still been working for West Midlands Police.
