Former West Midlands Police officer Calum Brand, 27, resigned from the force before he could be dismissed for gross misconduct after assaulting a Halesowen mother who had called for help. The woman sustained facial injuries during the attack, which took place on June 16, 2025, at a block of flats in Halesowen.
Brand, from Kidderminster, was convicted of assault by beating at Nottingham Magistrates' Court in July. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work, £650 costs, and a £114 victim surcharge.
Disciplinary Hearing Details
An accelerated misconduct hearing on September 2 found that Brand breached policing standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. The hearing was told that Brand had grabbed the woman's hair, pinned her down by the neck, and elbowed her head, causing facial injuries.
The victim had called for police help before her boyfriend was arrested. She had hit Brand on the head before his assault, a fact that was not disputed by any party. In his police interview, Brand denied assaulting the victim and using excessive force.
Panel chair Debra Tedds said in her report: "It is unacceptable for police officers, who are responsible for enforcing the law, to break the law themselves." The report also noted: "The victim in this case suffered physical injury to her face and was traumatised by the officer's actions."
Impact on Public Trust
The report highlighted the negative impact on public confidence: "A member of public was present, and I have no doubt their trust and confidence within the police service would have been negatively impacted as would the wider public if they were aware of the circumstances. This would have a negative impact on the reputation of West Midlands Police and the wider service."
The report also mentioned that Brand had a student officer with him at the time, who he was supporting as a role model and who should have been receiving guidance.
Court Proceedings and Victim Impact
The trial heard that Brand had finished a series of long shifts when he went to support colleagues called out to a domestic disturbance. A check on a man, described as 'largely incoherent', indicated that he was wanted on a warrant after failing to appear at court. As he was being escorted out of the flat, his partner, the victim, tried to intervene. She approached Brand from behind, leading to the assault.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer but was later released without charge. In a statement read to the court, the victim said: "I could not sleep in the cells because of the sound of my son's screams in my head, which no mother should have to hear. Brand made me feel like a dog, I felt embarrassed, shocked and humiliated. I now have no faith in the police who are meant to protect people but now make me feel scared. Brand made me feel worthless. I was defenceless without any shoes on. I did nothing to deserve being made to feel like that."
Sentencing, District Judge Katy Rafter told Brand he had 'let himself down and the force he represented'. Derrick Campbell, director of engagement at the Independent Office for Police Conduct, said it was a 'challenging situation' but 'there was no justification for the level of force' used by Brand. His response towards the victim was 'disproportionate and unnecessary', Mr Campbell added.
Brand emailed his police federation representative to say he would not be attending the misconduct hearing. The former officer's resignation means he avoided being formally dismissed, though the findings of gross misconduct will be recorded against him.
