Female cop is banned from force over domestic abuse against partner

Female cop is banned from force over ‘cruel, coercive and violent’ campaign of domestic abuse against her partner

• Abigail Barlow, 32, was barred as a constable for Greater Manchester Police
• Do you know her? Email [email protected]

A female former police officer has been banned from the force after a ‘cruel, coercive and violent’ campaign of domestic abuse against her partner.

Abigail Barlow, 32, was barred as a constable for Greater Manchester Police after subjecting her partner to ‘sustained’ abusive behaviour, a misconduct hearing heard.

Barlow pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour in December 2022, and was given a 26-week prison sentence suspended for two years in January, when she resigned.

Her actions were ‘incompatible with the role of police officer’ and undermined public trust in the force, Chief Constable Stephen Watson said.

He added that Barlow’s behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and she would have been dismissed from the force had she not already quit.

Do you know her? Email [email protected] 

Abigail Barlow (pictured), 32, was barred as a constable for Greater Manchester Police after subjecting her partner to ‘sustained’ abusive behaviour, a misconduct hearing heard

Her actions were ‘incompatible with the role of police officer’ and undermined public trust in the force, Chief Constable Stephen Watson said. Pictured: GMP HQ

Gareth Madgwick, the solicitor representing GMP, said Barlow ‘must have known of the serious effect of her behaviour on her partner’. ‘There has been regular, repeated or sustained behaviour over a period of time,’ he said.

Mr Madgwick told the hearing Barlow’s actions had left a ‘serious psychological impact’ on her victim, adding: ‘There is a loss of public trust in policing caused by an officer having been convicted of such a grave offence.’ 

Exact details of the nature of Barlow’s offending were not disclosed in public at the hearing.

Chief Constable Watson said: ‘Ms Barlow was specially trained to target and combat the very behaviours that she perpetrated over a prolonged period of time. 

‘Her level of knowledge as to the effect of domestic violence was such that her misconduct must be considered to be particularly serious.’ 

He also said Barlow should be added to the College of Policing barred list, describing her ‘cruel, coercive and violent behaviour’ as ‘more than a simple lapse of judgement’. ‘Her forced resignation will serve to benefit both the public and GMP,’ he added.

Barlow, of Clifton Street, Milnrow, turned down the opportunity to attend the hearing, be represented by the Police Federation or submit further mitigation to be considered.

She was also sentenced to 30 days rehabilitation, 200 hour unpaid work and a restraining order. 

Barlow declined to comment after being approached by the Manchester Evening News following the hearing.

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