In a shocking turn of events, two police officers in the UK have been caught engaging in unprofessional behavior while on duty. The officers were supposed to be working on the case of a missing woman, Abbygail Lawton, who was experiencing a mental health crisis. However, surveillance footage revealed that the officers were instead lounging on Lawton’s couch and watching Netflix.
Lawton expressed her disbelief at the officers’ actions, stating that she expected them to be working hard and protecting people, not indulging in leisure activities. The footage shows one officer using Lawton’s dumbbell set to exercise while his partner scrolled on his phone. It is clear that these actions are far from professional and have left Lawton feeling betrayed by those who are supposed to help and protect her.
The officers were called to Lawton’s home after concerns were raised about her welfare. While they were ordered to remain on the property in case Lawton returned, other officers conducted a wider search for her. However, instead of carrying out their duties diligently, the two officers decided to make themselves comfortable in Lawton’s home.
Lawton had disappeared during mental health crises before, so it was not the first time that officers were waiting for her to return. However, in previous instances, they waited for her in their cruiser after conducting a sweep of her home. This time, they took it upon themselves to watch TV and use her personal property. It was only after more than two hours of their unauthorized presence that other officers found Lawton.
The consequences for Lawton were severe. She was booked for wasting police time and held in custody for 12 hours. This not only adds insult to injury but also raises questions about the priorities of the police force. Instead of addressing the unprofessional behavior of their officers, they punished the victim of a mental health crisis.
Understandably, Lawton was disgusted by the officers’ behavior and filed an official complaint with the Greater Manchester Police (GMP). She expressed that their actions had caused her mental trauma and mistrust of the police. The GMP, on the other hand, claimed that the officers did not breach any law enforcement standards and were primarily at the location to safeguard Lawton should she return home.
The response from the GMP has been met with criticism, as it seems to downplay the severity of the officers’ actions. While they acknowledged that the officers should not have been watching TV or using Lawton’s personal property, they stopped short of admitting any wrongdoing. The force’s Professional Standards Branch merely stated that the officers should reflect on and learn from the complaint.
This incident highlights the need for greater accountability within the police force. It is crucial that officers are held to a higher standard and that their actions are closely monitored. Engaging in unprofessional behavior not only undermines public trust and confidence but also puts vulnerable individuals like Lawton at risk.
The GMP must take this incident seriously and ensure that appropriate actions are taken to address the officers’ misconduct. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the complaint; concrete steps need to be taken to restore public trust and prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.
In conclusion, the unprofessional behavior of two UK police officers has come to light, as they were caught watching Netflix and exercising at the residence of a missing woman who was experiencing a mental health crisis. This incident raises concerns about the conduct of police officers and highlights the need for greater accountability within law enforcement. The victim, Abbygail Lawton, has rightfully filed an official complaint, expressing her disgust and the mental trauma caused by the officers’ actions. It is now up to the Greater Manchester Police to take appropriate action and restore public trust in their force.
