Police chief's 24-year career ended by 'single act of madness' in Wrexham taxi ride

He lost his career and his good name but his resignation from the force in January was because former superintendent Rob Kirman, 47, thought it was "the right and honourable thing to do", a disciplinary hearing was told.

He did not appear for the hearing, conducted by video link because of the snow, but Victor Marshall of the Police Superintendents Association represented him.

Matt Jukes, Chief Constable of South Wales, who officiated, was told that during his career Kirman had held important posts including for firearms and in 2019, as anti-terrorist co-ordinator, he had made security assessments for when Prince William and Kate lived in Anglesey during his time as an RAF helicopter pilot at the Valley base.

“His greatest punishment is the loss of a career he loved,” said Mr Marshall.

“Events of that one night and one moment of madness have had a devastating impact on him personally, professionally and financially.

"He’s lost his good name, his status and had a very significant financial loss as a result of his resignation”

Mr Jukes, who presided from his headquarters at Bridgend, said if the ex-superintendent still been serving he would have been dismissed for gross misconduct and he ruled that he should be placed on the College of Policing's barred list for five years, which disqualifies him from having any role in law enforcement.

Kirman, of St Mellion Crescent, Wrexham, had pleaded guilty before magistrates to common assault on a taxi driver at Wrexham, criminal damage to the screen in the cab and a public order offence.

He was fined £733 with £366 compensation for the damage and £200 loss of driver's earnings, with £85 costs.

Det Supt John Hanson, presenting the case at the Colwyn Bay headquarters of North Wales Police yesterday, said Kirman joined the force in 1994 and had two commendations from the chief constable as well as a Royal Humane Society award for saving a life.

He had held a number of senior posts, including for community safety.

The superintendent said the trouble happened after Kirman and his woman partner got a taxi home from a Rock the Park festival at Marchwiel last August.

Diversionary traffic routes had been set up but the two passengers shouted and swore and demanded that the driver, Sardesh Hassan, should stop.

Fearing for his safety he had headed to Wrexham town centre where he knew there would be security staff and cameras.

Kirman had tried to pull the driver from the cab and grabbed the keys. He had said words like "do you know who I am?" and a Special constable had been shocked by his behaviour and felt intimidated.

Kirman said to a control room inspector: "Have a look at that driver and see what comes back."

Supt Hanson said his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct, undermined public confidence and brought discredit to the force.

Mr Marshall said for Kirman the results had been catastrophic and devastating.

There had been a combination of drunkenness and a genuine but wrong belief by Kirman and his woman partner that something "serious" might have been happening to them because of the route they were taking. He had banged on the screen to try to get the driver's attention.

"Illogically he thought he was being taken the wrong way or that something sinister was occurring."

Mr Marshall said Kirman had shown his genuine remorse and apologies.

In his resignation letter to Chief Constable Mark Polin he expressed sincere apologies to him, his ex-colleagues and North Wales Police for his behaviour.

Giving his decision, Mr Jukes said the impact on public trust had to be considered.

"As a mature and experienced police officer there were other ways of dealing with the situation," he said.

"The public are entitled to expect a high standard of conduct from an off-duty police officer."

It was, Mr Marshall added, of great regret that it should happen "at the conclusion of otherwise unblemished service".

After the hearing North Wales Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Richard Debicki said: “The behaviour of this former officer clearly contradicts the high standards and values expected of all our staff, whether on or off duty.

"It is disappointing that on this occasion one officer’s conduct seriously breached this expectation.

"We have demonstrated through our handling of this case that such behaviour will not be tolerated by North Wales Police.

“Of course, the majority of our officers and staff uphold the highest standards day in, day out, and provide an exceptional service to local communities who quite rightly have high expectations of the police."