West Midlands PC and ex-officer charged with misconduct

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Serving West Midlands PC Anthony Ritchie and former PC Steven Walters are both due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court next month

26 March 2021

A serving police constable and a former officer have been charged with misconduct in a public office.

West Midlands PC Anthony Ritchie, 43, is accused of forming an inappropriate relationship with a woman he met between 4 June 2014 and 29 March 2018.

While former PC Steven Walters, 52, allegedly engaged in sexual activity with a woman during the course of his duties on 1 October 2013.

Both are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 23 April.

The charges follow two investigations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

It said it had begun inquiries after separate referrals from West Midlands Police in April and May 2018 and a file had been handed to the Crown Prosecution Service in June 2020.