A former West Midlands Police sergeant has been found to have engaged in a sustained pattern of gross misconduct, using what has been described as a 'repulsive repertoire' of sexually explicit, discriminatory, and vulgar language towards junior female colleagues. An accelerated misconduct hearing concluded that the officer's actions created a deeply uncomfortable and hostile workplace environment, fundamentally breaching the standards of professional behaviour expected within the police force.
A 'Blatant Disregard' for Colleagues and Professional Standards
The hearing, which considered evidence from late 2024, heard that former Sergeant Capewell repeatedly used his position of authority to make inappropriate comments. The panel, led by the then-Chief Constable Craig Guildford, determined that his conduct was systematic and designed to satisfy what was termed a 'perverted sense of humour'. Guildford's report stated the former sergeant 'repeatedly defiled his position of trust' while on duty, showing a 'blatant disregard' for his colleagues.
Explicit and Discriminatory Language Detailed
The catalogue of misconduct included numerous specific incidents. Capewell made sexually suggestive remarks about a female colleague holidaying in Jamaica, claiming she would return 'walking like John Wayne'. He recited crude, sexually explicit poems to junior female officers, including one that referenced 'splattering' a woman's face. On another occasion, he complained about a female colleague's 'miserable face', likening her appearance to a 'bulldog licking p*** off a nettle'.
Further instances included making derogatory comments about a female officer's genitalia, telling a story that graphically described sex, and stating he would not attend a Christmas event 'if there was no option of sexual touching'. The officer also used discriminatory language, referring to a 'pikey' in a comment about a golf club, which the report found to be directly prejudicial against the travelling community.
Impact on the Workplace and Police Service
The report emphasised the profound impact of this behaviour, stating it created 'a very uncomfortable workplace for younger female officers'. Chief Constable Guildford noted that Capewell, with over 28 years of service, 'should have been setting an example' and 'creating a safe and supporting workplace environment'. Instead, his actions 'grossly undermine trust and confidence' in the police service.
Guildford strongly rejected Capewell's assertion that he was 'not a monster', stating he 'profoundly' disagreed. The report concluded: 'His conduct was cumulatively a monstrous breach of the standards of professional behaviour and the code of ethics.' The hearing found that Capewell knew he held power over the careers of the officers subjected to his language.
Retirement Precludes Dismissal
The former officer retired while suspended and did not attend the misconduct hearing in December 2025. The panel determined that, had he still been serving, he would have been dismissed from West Midlands Police without notice. The facts of the case regarding the language used were not disputed by Capewell, though he denied any malicious intent.
The report commended those who came forward to report the behaviour to the anti-corruption unit, highlighting the importance of challenging such conduct. It stated that the case strikes 'at the heart of treating colleagues, especially female colleagues with dignity and respect at work', and acknowledged the wider efforts by police forces to tackle sexualised behaviour in the workplace.
Despite the serious findings of gross misconduct, the report noted that Capewell had received past commendations and bonus payments for good work between 2005 and 2009, including appreciation for his conduct during a fire and a complex criminal investigation.
