A Police Constable with the West Area Command Unit in the United Kingdom, Bright Shine-Sedziafa, has been dismissed without notice for wrongfully transporting the son of a Ghanaian woman extradited to the US, to the European country.
He was found guilty of gross misconduct after a police hearing uncovered his role in facilitating the child of the Ghanaian woman, entry and falsifying border documents.
Constable Shine-Sedziafa was found guilty of breaching the Standard of Professional Behaviour of the UK police when he dishonestly presented a fraudulently signed ‘Minor (Child) Travel Consent’ form to the UK Border Officials while transporting the child to the UK.
The officer was also dismissed for agreeing to transport the child, with whom he had no prior relationship, from Ghana to the UK.
A summary of the misconduct hearing held on the conduct of the police officer on the met.police.uk also stated that during a PACE interview, PC Shine-Sedziafa dishonestly stated that he did not know that the mother of the minor child whom he had transported to the UK was awaiting extradition for fraud.
A detailed report of the hearing by the Metropolitan Police detailed how Constable Shine-Sedziafa met the Ghanaian Woman, referred to as Mrs. C in the report, at a relative’s home in late 2022, shortly before travelling to Ghana for his father’s funeral.
It was during this trip that arrangements were finalised for the child to be brought to the UK, with PC Shine-Sedziafa signing the necessary forms and coordinating travel.
He claimed he agreed to transport the child as a favour, denying any knowledge of the mother’s legal issues or receipt of financial rewards.
The report also implicated two Ghanaians, Confidence Haugen and Mrs. C’s boyfriend, one Richard Quaye.
The report also indicated that the police officer, his wife, Confidence Haugen (his cousin), Mrs. C, Richard Quaye, and the child’s grandmother were all involved in planning the transportation of the child to the UK.
WhatsApp exchanges detailed the plan, including photos of expired passports and a draft minor travel consent form.
Payment transactions were also traced to PC Shine-Sedziafa, including £800 and GH¢1,300 for immigration expenses.
The journey began on December 20, 2022, when the child was taken to the airport by her grandmother and uncle, with additional assistance from a man identified as ‘Mr. Smith’ to handle visa matters.
The group managed to pass through immigration and enter the UK via Amsterdam. However, upon arrival, UK officials flagged concerns about the documents and questioned PC Shine-Sedziafa and his wife, who had arrived to receive the child.
Read the full report below:
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