Policeman ignored radio calls while cruising red light district

Pete Bainbridge

November 04, 2009

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Pc Robert Bowen was called to break up a fight in the city centre but was 'far too interested' in patrolling Piccadilly station area, a court heard.

A POLICE officer ignored radio calls for help from his colleagues - because he was cruising a red light district.

Pc Robert Bowen, a married patrol officer in north Manchester, was called to break up a fight in the city centre but was 'far too interested' in patrolling Piccadilly station area, a court heard.

Bowen, an officer for 26 years, had developed an unhealthy interest in sex workers, Warrington Crown Court was told.

There was no suggestion at any stage that Bowen, from Rochdale, was using prostitutes.

He denied four charges of misconduct in a public office.

Bowen, 45, pleaded guilty to one of the offences. The three further charges of misconduct, are to lie on file.

The court heard Bowen failed to respond to a brawl at Krunchie Fried Chicken takeaway, on Bloom Street.

Prosecutor Maria Masselis said: "He had a duty to go.

Red light district

"He was far too interested in patrolling the red light district and didn't answer the call."

Bowen, based at Whitefield police station, was caught after a surveillance operation.

It involved a lengthy investigation into his work patterns.

A police spokesman said: "The officer remains suspended from duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation by Greater Manchester Police's Professional Standards Branch."

Bowen is due to be sentenced later this month.

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Knowsleyman, Paphos (05/11/2009 at 08:10)

Will he keep his job????????????

The girl next door , North west (05/11/2009 at 08:22)

Oh naughty boy!!!

Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (05/11/2009 at 08:27)

"A police spokesman said: "The officer remains suspended from duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation by Greater Manchester Police's Professional Standards Branch.""

What is there to investigate, he pleaded guilty. I don't like the idea that my tax is paying people to cruise red ight districts. He might not have used prostitutes but did he do anything to stop them being exploited by drug dealers and pimps etc?

ronnie blair (05/11/2009 at 08:32)

yet another example of officers employed by gmp.bet he will keep his job.

P B (05/11/2009 at 08:39)

Normal Private Sector Worker, SACKED simple as that - Not fit for office

J smith (05/11/2009 at 09:02)

He will still get a nice pension even if he gets sacked.....thats how the police work.

Marquis de Sade et la petit monge tout (05/11/2009 at 09:02)

He will resign and keep his 26 year pension and then go on to be a social worker for prostitutes providing he can prove that he is left wing enough to become a social worker.

Growler (05/11/2009 at 09:07)

I didn't realise that traffic officers went to fights ?

The Voice of Reason, Manchester (05/11/2009 at 09:23)

J Smith ... I'm sure GMP will sack him, otherwise why go to such lengths to undertake a surveillance operation on him. Being convicted of Misconduct in Public Office is the only offence where you automatically lose your pension entitlements. Therefore he can't and won't be in receipt of a nice 26 year pension, give GMP a chance before making comment!

Alan Partridge, Linton Travel Tavern (05/11/2009 at 09:40)

Growler,
5/11/2009 at 09:07

It says patrol officer, not traffic officer.

I disagree with the witch hunt by the GMP proffesional standards so they can string up police officers to satisfy public thirst but if the information presented here is fact, he needs to go.

We all make mistakes but this one didn't benifit the public in any way as the lad giving a scum bag a slap did the other day.

Hamish Macbeth, Whitefield (05/11/2009 at 10:05)

Did the officers watching and surveilling him not have a duty to go to the fight too...?
I gather the Officer is a traffic officer - they do not usually go to fights, but deal with crashes, pursuits and the like.

Sticky Middle Finger (05/11/2009 at 10:12)

" Bowen, an officer for 26 years, had developed an unhealthy interest in sex workers, Warrington Crown Court was told. "

Perhaps he wouldn't still be a Constable after 26 years service if he had different interests but not to worry he'll still get his pension. Paid for by US.

Growler (05/11/2009 at 10:22)

Alan Partridge, Linton Travel Tavern.

Why would a 'patrol officer' based at whitefield be going down into the city centre of manchester ?

Two sides, Salford (05/11/2009 at 10:41)

sticky middle finger......YOU dont pay for the police pension...Police Officers pay this themselves out of their wages.....Get your facts right before spouting rubbish...

Local lad, outsidethebox (05/11/2009 at 10:48)

The officer remains suspended?
You mean until he decides to retire is the usual way the police get away with things.

Angie33 , Manchester (05/11/2009 at 10:55)

Before the days out it'll be 'the police are under a lot of strss.Why shouldnt he take a bit of time out for fun.Would you want to do his job?'

cwoody, rochdale (05/11/2009 at 11:41)

What a load of bull,i know the officer mentioned and any one else that knows him,also knows what a genuine,respected police officer and person he is,gutter press will make the most and manipulate the truth to sell papers we all know this,and thats what they have done again,cant even get the facts.He was witch hunted,full stop.If anyone takes time out to read the actual facts of the case they will realise what a miscarriage of justice this case is.This officer put his life on the line in his line of duty on more than one occation,and he was repaid by being targeted by other with nothing better to do than try and destroy a decent and honest officers career,they succeded,and now,mores the pity, GMP is short of one of the finest officers that they had.I hope the people responsible read this and get what they deserve in the future,what comes round goes round,its about time the investigators were investigated.

Brock, Hulme (05/11/2009 at 11:56)

Whats new? In the bad old days of policing having a freebie was a perk of the job.

Sticky Middle Finger (05/11/2009 at 12:07)

Two Sides, Salford.
" sticky middle finger......YOU dont pay for the police pension...Police Officers pay this themselves out of their wages.....Get your facts right before spouting rubbish..."

Who pays for his wages smart A***.

Lovable Blue Frog. Any pond life around here by any chance?, Manchester (05/11/2009 at 12:13)

One time I would think this was quite naughty, but now I think maybe sometimes people have needs to be happy in this a lot of the time a ruth and tumble world.

petitevamp, bolton (05/11/2009 at 12:20)

To say we do not pay his pension and they pay that themselves is not exactly true is it? Their wages come out of the public purse I.e Council tax etc so therefore we the public do pay for it. That would be like saying we do not pay for MP's pensions. Unless the police force has been privatised and they have not let Joe public know?

Knowledge Poverty (05/11/2009 at 12:26)

I do find it disturbing the number of people on here who, when someone has committed some misdemeanor (which they may or may not deserver to be punished for), wish for, or gleefully celebrate people's livelihoods - and particularly pensions - being taken away.

You need to think about this. you're talking about working people - people who have worked - quite possibly very hard - taking their livelihoods - and their post working life livelihoods - away from them.

Imagine that happened to you, when you'd made some mistake?

It's not like this guy's killed anyone or fiddled with kids or anything. I can't quite make out from the story what he's actually done, other than not respond to a call he should have. There may well be two sides to the story.

You're just a bunch of angry, bitter - disappointed people. Disappointed in the pointlessness of your own lives - and the only thing that will make you happy is for other people to be unhappy too.

Pathetic.

Public sector pensions - we love it. Get it right up you.

Ricky Bad Boy, Manchester City Centre (05/11/2009 at 12:32)

The barrister for the CPS actually states in the quote "patrolling" and not cruising-there is a huges difference. The officer was therefore clearly there as part of his duties.

sumayya , Bolton (05/11/2009 at 12:39)

here we go again ... we pay your wages ... we pay your pensions ... get a life you bitter people

Sticky Middle Finger (05/11/2009 at 12:50)

Ricky Bad Boy, Manchester City Centre

"The barrister for the CPS actually states in the quote "patrolling" and not cruising-there is a huges difference. The officer was therefore clearly there as part of his duties."

Ricky, I think the main interest is in the clue ' far too interest ' part of the article.

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