SYP cop sacked for having romantic relationship with criminal after being attracted to his "bad boy image"
“She was attracted to his ‘bad boy image’ and he was attracted to the fact that she was a police officer”
A South Yorkshire Police officer has been sacked over her relationship with a known criminal, after she admitted being attracted to his “bad boy image.”
Police Constable Sarah Bromfield was dismissed without notice after she was found guilty of gross misconduct.
South Yorkshire Police ocuments released after a misconduct hearing describe the man with whom PC Bromfield had a relationship with as someone who has been “convicted of crimes and continues to face further allegations of violent crimes.”
They state Chief Constable Lauren Poultney made a direction that the criminal’s name would not be publicly reported.
Chf Con Poultney said she did not deem it “necessary nor in the public interest for this individual’s name to be revealed as it has no bearing on the allegations themselves.”
She said PC Bromfield’s relationship with the criminal, referred to only as “XXXXXX,” began with the pair being on “nodding terms.”
Their association developed into an intimate relationship, which has continued through to the present day, and the pair reportedly became engaged in August 2025.
PC Bromfield made a number of disclosures to South Yorkshire Police after being informed she must provide updates on any changes to their relationship, the documents state.
On October 24, 2024 she confirmed their relationship had become “intimate” after he was released from prison.
In a meeting held less than a week later, PC Bromfield said she had told her partner “that the relationship must end.”
Police documents state the office acknowledged that “she was attracted to his ‘bad boy image’ and that he was attracted to the fact that she was a police officer.”
“There was a discussion about how to safely end the relationship and the officer was told her vetting was at risk and that she must have no contact with XXXXXX,” Chf Con Poultney said.
PC Bromfield was arrested over her relationship with XXXXXX in November 2024, She was released on bail, on the condition she did not have any contact with XXXXXX.
On March 3, 2025, PC Bromfield was emailed a “lawful order” to not have contact with XXXXXX, which she acknowledged on March 10, 2025.
A day earlier, on March 9, 2025, Ms Bromfield seen in the company of XXXXXX, supporting him at an appearance at Manchester Crown Court.
Detailing the panel’s findings of gross misconduct, Chf Con Poultney said: “Being seen as a police officer, tasked with upholding the law and ensuring public safety to be in a committed relationship with an individual who has been convicted of crimes and continues to face further allegations of violent crimes is fundamentally incompatible with the values rightfully expected of officers by members of the public.
“Further, members of the public are entitled to expect that officers who are responsible for imposing and policing restrictions on their lives and liberty would abide by lawful orders imposed upon them.”
Chf Con Poultney noted PC Bromfield “has expressed remorse and acceptance of responsibility for her actions.”
She added: “This is tempered by the fact that the officer suggests she should have challenged the making of the order...demonstrating a continued lack of insight into the risks to the force both operationally and reputationally, and to her own ability to undertake her role impartially posed by her relationship.”