Woman banned from police force following conviction

A former student police officer who admitted multiple child sex offences would have been "dismissed without notice" had she not resigned, a misconduct hearing panel has concluded.

Former PC Darcy Woods-Broady was given a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Worcester Crown Court in August 2024.

She had previously pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a girl aged under 16.

Deputy Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police, Katy Barrow-Grint, said there was "no place in the service for those who commit such serious offences."

The hearing was told the offences took place between October 2022 and March 2023 when Woods-Broady from Quedgeley, Gloucester, was 20 years old and the child was aged 15.

She abused the girl at a number of locations, including her home and car, while off-duty. After her arrest, police seized Woods-Broady's devices and found messages between her and the victim, as well as images and videos.

She told investigators she had been in a sexual relationship with the victim and knew the girl to be under 16 at the time of the offences.

Woods-Broady had been a police officer for six months when she was suspended.

The Independent Office for Police Misconduct said she did not meet her victim through work and did not commit the offences while on duty.

In addition to her suspended prison sentence, Woods-Broady was added to the police barred list, and also made the subject of a five year sexual harm prevention order. She will be subject to notification requirements for 10 years.

DCC Barrow-Grint said Woods-Broady "exploited a child, who was vulnerable due to her age, and engaged in sexual activity with her over several months.

"One doesn't have to be a police officer to know that her actions weren't just morally wrong, but criminal.

"There is no place in the police service for those who take advantage of others or who commit such serious offences and the panel had little hesitation in concluding former PC Woods-Broady's actions amounted to gross misconduct and had she not previously resigned, she would've been dismissed without notice."

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