UPDATE 28-11-25 - PCC Simon Foster to Re-take Decisions

Recent Developments

Following legal correspondence, the PCC Simon Foster has stated that he is “re-taking” his earlier decisions relating to complaints about the conduct of some of the most senior leaders and some initially raised during internal proceedings. The complaint involves:

• the former Chief Constable Dave Thompson
• the current Chief Constable Craig Guildford 
• former ACC Alex Murray now Director of Threat Leadership within the National Crime Agency
• former CC Pippa Mills now Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police Service 

It has now emerged that several statutory steps required under the Police Reform Act 2002 were not taken at the time the PCC first received these referrals, including: 

• recording the matters “as soon as practicable”,
• conducting a severity assessment, and
• considering mandatory referral to the IOPC. 

The PCC has since confirmed that he is still (some 3 months later) assessing preliminary issues-including whether the complaint can be recorded-several months after receiving the information. However, over 15 weeks have now passed and the PCC has still failed to take any action or address his retaking of decisions. 

A complaint has also been raised with the Police and Crime Panel, who have begun contact regarding the PCC’s role and decision-making. This demonstrates that proper oversight mechanisms are already engaged, and that these matters warrant careful, independent review and we await their response. The Local Government Ombudsman is now also involved who is reviewing the Police and Crime Panels actions and previous failures to hold the PCC to account. Judicial Reviews and legal proceedings will be issued if the Ombudsman and PCP fail to conduct their duties.

Derrick Campbell (Regional Director of the IOPC), the Policing Minister Sarah Jones and MP Sarah Edwards are all appraised of the situation, with government officials supporting to ensure accountability and oversight and the protection of women against violence and harassment. 

 

Why This Matters

Policing relies on public confidence, fairness, and transparency. 

When concerns arise about:

• discriminatory criminal offences by senior officers, 
• leadership decision-making, 
• the handling of complaints involving senior officers, and 
• compliance with statutory obligations, 

it is vital that these matters are reviewed impartially and without delay this has yet to be seen.

 

UPDATE 30-05-25 – More Racism, Misogyny and Failures comes to light.

Channel 4 - Racist - misogynistic -police-video filmed during duty time 

WMP and the PCC failed to “mandatory refer” an Irish racist and misogynistic videos of the Chief Constable and Senior Leaders to the IOPC!

Most of the footage is too offensive to stream on the media channels as it involves:

The racist and misogynistic video was recorded:

• During duty hours- use of tax-payers money when officers should have been protecting the public
   
• Using police equipment e.g. vehicles and drone for filming
   
• Racism and Misogyny -
  • Naked officers on film with toothbrushes up their rear ends penetrating their rectum.
  • Kidnapped victim being mocked, bound and gagged crouching in a house cupboards (echoes that of David Carrick victims)
  • Officer was depicted naked in bed with a woman 
    Reference to potato growing/farming/famine – socio economic background and race discrimination
  • FOU officers posing as workmen from the travelling community being filmed trying to break into a car mocking the Irish accent and image
  • Officer defecating in a toilet mocking the Irish
  • Senior female officer in the shower with a male firearms officer undressed
     
• A sketch of Chief Constable Dave Thompson and DCC Murray personally mocking the Irish accent agreeing to any firearms authorities. CC Thompson was the NPCC lead for Race and Heritage at the Time and Alex Murray is a leader in the National Crime Agency.
   

The Issues

We, the undersigned, call for immediate action to address the systemic and institutionally  Misogynist, Racist and Homophobic West Midlands Police (WMP) as made clear in the Case of Rebecca Kalam and the subsequent cases lodged against WMP by those who bravely supported and gave evidence as witnesses.  Their cases highlight the continuous deep-rooted issues of discrimination and victimisation faced by whistleblowers who stand up against senior leadership within WMP and law enforcement institutions.

Rebecca Kalam, a former Detective Inspector and Operational Firearms Commander with West Midlands Police, was subjected to over 75 separate counts of discrimination, harassment and sexism within WMP, including being stripped to her underwear during a training exercise by male officers. She also faced physical mistreatmentand assaults and was refused female body armour to protect her in her role.

Despite having been given multiple opportunities to explore and address the concerns raised by former DI Kalam, West Midlands Police chose to  defend the claims all the way to tribunal – clearly seeking to place reputation ahead of positive change. WMP subsequently admitted their failures to the Tribunal in 2023. 

The conduct of the Firearms Officers involved in her case reveals disturbing patterns of gendered and sexual behaviours, similar to those of Wayne Couzens and David Carrick, and repeated procedural and managerial failures across all ranks within WMP. Rebecca Kalam was awarded over £800,000 which she has given away to good causes and charity, stating on Channel 4 “that she never wanted a penny”. Prior to the tribunal, WMP also accepted personal donations from Rebecca Kalam, imploring them to meet their legal obligations to provide gender specific uniform. To this day, this obligation remains unfulfilled.

At the conclusion of the case against WMP, WMP stated that there is no such place for the damaging behaviours identified by Rebecca Kalam in WMP, and that they were working hard to improve their culture and standards. However, the subsequent victimisation experienced by those who gave evidence as witnesses against the force, and those who supported Rebecca Kalam’s grievance and Tribunal Case, is testament to the disingenuity with which WMP pledged positive change, and the contempt the force holds for officers who challenge the poor conduct of the force itself. Those same witnesses have had no choice but to leave WMP as direct result of the victimisation they have been subjected to, for putting the safety of the public ahead of the force’s reputation.

It has become abundantly clear that the poor support and treatment Rebecca Kalam was subjected to is not an isolated experience, but part of broader trend where those brave enough to stand against poor senior leadership are subjected to victimisation and victim blaming by the force themselves. Those officers are excluded from force support, face bullying and emotional and physical harm.  6 Employment Tribunal cases linked to Rebecca’s case have been lodged, with four still ongoing, to date which cover victimisation and disability discrimination.

On 15th November 2024, West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford  ‘quietly and secretly' retired with the understanding he will be rehired on the 16th December 2024.  This appointment was backed by the Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster in a move aimed with the sole purpose of protecting Mr Guilford’s pension.

Mr Guildford is taking part in a 'retire and rejoin' scheme, and made no consideration to do so with professionalism or transparency, leaving serving officers, staff, and the public with no recourse to voice their concerns as to the breach of ethics, policy, standards of conduct, or the opportunity for others to apply for the post. In fact his staff were not aware of his retirement until media interest divulged the conspiracy. Only then formal commentary was provided by the force on the local intranet 10 days later – the consequences of which remain unanswered internally, as no formal responses have been given to the officers seeking justification and clarification on internal messaging platforms.

Further internal messaging relating to Rebecca Kalam’s witnesses cases have asked for WMP staff not to comment on social media and WMP have switched off commentary for staff to participate in open conversation.

The conduct of Mr Guilford and the PCC in this matter and those of covering up sending referrals to the IOPC are clear examples that WMP will continue to act in a manner counter to transparency, openess and fairness, or with any semblance of having placed the safety of its staff or the public at the heart of its actions.

This is not leadership in public service, rather demonstrations of arrogance and self-service. The public expect, and deserve, higher standards from public servants. The many dedicated and committed employees within WMP, who often act in self-sacrifice in their duties, are eroded and undermined by senior management who clearly seek to progress personal gain.

Link: West Midlands police chief ‘quietly' retires before returning in bid to 'protect pension' - Birmingham Live

What We Are Asking For

We call upon the Home Office, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), and relevant Parliamentary authorities to take immediate action by:

1. Launching an independent investigation into PCC Simon Foster and Chief Constable Craig Guildford for failure to meet their statutory duties.

2. The suspension of the Police and Crime Commissioner who has failed to hold West Midlands Police to account for Rebecca Kalam and Witnesses cases 

3. Conducting a full public review of institutional culture and oversight practices in West Midlands Police.

4. Implementing robust whistleblower protections, ensuring no further retaliation against those who raise concerns.

5. Mandating training and accountability frameworks to address systemic racism, misogyny, and abuse of power.

The Police have a duty to prioritise the issue of discrimination, harassment and victimisation in policing and to ensure that the public, Women, and Whistleblowers are protected and safe from corruption and predatory sexual behaviours similar to those of Wayne Couzens and David Carrick.

Rebecca Kalam Links:

Exclusive: Whistleblower reveals misogyny and racism in West Midlands Police​

Channel 4 - Racist - misogynistic -police-video filmed during duty time ​

Mrs R Kalam v The Chief Constable of West Midlands Police: 1301519/2021 - GOV.UK

 

Witnesses Links:

West Midlands Police accused of failing to act on racism in its ranks​

West Midlands Police: Racist police on duty every day, ex-inspector says - BBC News

Sign this petition for systemic change routing out discriminatory policing practices and police perpetrated abuse, and the protection of Whistleblowers.

The PCC and CC has destroyed trust and confidence, and put Women at risk.

It is essential that Police Forces operate with transparency, openness, honesty and respect. This petition seeks to express our lack of confidence in the PCC and CC of West Midlands Police.

There should be accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership within  West Midlands Police. Please sign this petition if you feel their conduct is unbecoming of Senior leadership within Policing and Office .

 

Petition to the Home Office