A police officer has been sacked without notice after he catastrophically failed to properly investigate a serious domestic abuse case, further traumatising a vulnerable victim.
PC Stuart Fadden, formerly of Thames Valley Police, faced a misconduct hearing last month after botching a 2022 investigation involving assault, stalking, and theft.
The Scandal: A Botched Investigation
In December 2022, PC Fadden was tasked with investigating claims that a woman had been physically attacked and stalked by a man she knew. Clear instructions were given: meet the victim in person and take a formal statement.
But rather than following his orders, Fadden called the woman nine months later, claiming there was “insufficient evidence” — without ever meeting her. He then falsely reported to the police’s Criminal Justice Department that the victim had withdrawn her complaint.
When the woman realised her case had been mishandled, she bravely contacted the Force Control Room to lodge a complaint, sparking an internal review.
Misconduct Hearing: Dismissal Without Notice
At a three-day hearing ending on 30 April 2025, a misconduct panel found Fadden guilty of gross misconduct — breaching standards around Orders and Instructions, Honesty and Integrity, and Discreditable Conduct.
He was dismissed without notice and placed on the Police Barred List, ensuring he cannot serve in law enforcement again.
Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint condemned the officer’s actions, stating:
“Not only did he fail to follow the directions of his supervisors, meaning he carried out a poor investigation, he further traumatised a vulnerable woman who looked to him for protection.”
Public Outcry: “Victims Deserve Better”
Social media exploded with anger over the revelations. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:
“How can trust in policing ever be rebuilt when officers behave like this?”
Others praised Fadden’s dismissal but demanded tougher oversight and reforms.
Wider Crisis: Police Failures in Domestic Abuse Cases
Sadly, this is not an isolated case. A 2022 Centre for Women’s Justice report found only 40% of police-perpetrated domestic abuse cases led to internal investigations.
Meanwhile, Women’s Aid continues to highlight systemic failures where survivors’ reports are dismissed or mishandled, calling for specialised officer training.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 sought to transform victim support, but critics say gaps remain between policy and real-world policing.
Systemic Reforms: Will Anything Change?
The UK is now ramping up pressure for reforms:
- External Investigations: Calls to have outside forces handle officer misconduct.
- Independent Reporting: Allowing victims to bypass forces by reporting directly to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
- Enhanced Training: Mandatory, in-depth domestic abuse training for all officers.
- Tougher Vetting: The Met Police has launched stricter background checks, after scandals revealed over 1,300 officers and staff accused of abuse between 2018–2021.
Conclusion: A Step Toward Accountability
The dismissal of PC Stuart Fadden is a critical — but small — victory for justice. Campaigners stress that rebuilding public trust demands systemic change, not just punishing a few bad apples.
For survivors, every case like this is a reminder that speaking out matters — and that policing must put victims first.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse:
Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.org.uk for confidential support.
