A police sergeant has been dismissed from the force after he was found to have deliberately pursued an improper relationship with a woman he met through his duties, culminating in a stay with her at a Travelodge hotel.
Gross Misconduct Findings
Police Sergeant Conrad Smith, 58, was dismissed without notice following an accelerated misconduct hearing. A panel found he had breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct, with his actions amounting to gross misconduct.
The hearing, held on November 20, 2025, heard that Smith had met the woman, referred to only as Ms A, in 2024 as a direct result of his duties with West Mercia Police. He was based in North Shropshire at the time.
Hotel Stay While Suspended
The central allegation proven against Smith was that he stayed at a Travelodge with Ms A between February 3 and 4, 2025. Crucially, this occurred while he was already suspended from duty and under a criminal investigation for the same pattern of behaviour.
A report by Assistant Chief Constable Grant Wills stated the evidence was "incontrovertible." It described Smith's conduct as involving "sexual impropriety, predatory behaviour and abuse of a position of trust."
"It is clear that the officer's conduct was deliberately pursuing a relationship with Ms A," the report said. "He carried out a significant amount of planning, and subsequent execution of these plans. This is not a one-off or accidental happening."
Criminal Proceedings and Dismissal
Smith, of Watergate Street, Welshpool, Powys, had been charged with corrupt or improper exercise of police powers and privileges in 2025. However, he was acquitted at Birmingham Crown Court in August 2025 after the prosecution offered no evidence.
Despite the criminal acquittal, the misconduct panel proceeded. ACC Wills highlighted aggravating factors, including the "abuse of trust" and the "scale of national concern in relation to officers pursuing relationships with vulnerable victims of crime."
The report concluded Smith knew the risk of harm but "continued regardless," leading to a finding of high culpability. The panel acknowledged Smith was said to be suffering from poor mental health at the time, but this did not mitigate the seriousness of the breaches.
He was dismissed from West Mercia Police with immediate effect.
