A serving police officer based in Birmingham has been dismissed from the force without notice following a domestic violence incident where she assaulted her partner during a heated argument.
Officer's Actions Constitute Gross Misconduct
PC Furlong, who served as a neighbourhood officer for Birmingham City Centre, was found to have breached policing standards of professional behaviour after she punched her boyfriend and grabbed his throat during a row at his home. The off-duty officer, who had been drinking at the time, was found to have "momentarily lost her composure and control" during the altercation.
A misconduct panel determined that her actions amounted to gross misconduct, with Chief Constable Craig Guildford stating in his report: "The facts in this case demonstrate an individual who had not been assaulted herself but used unlawful violence on her ex-partner in a private dwelling."
Court Issues Protection Order
Following the incident in June 2025, officers conducted a welfare check at the partner's home where a disclosure was made about the assault that had occurred the previous night. PC Furlong was subsequently arrested for domestic assault.
The court later issued a 28-day domestic violence protection order (DVPO) which:
- Prevented Furlong from molesting her partner
- Excluded her from his address
- Was deemed necessary to protect him from further violence or threats
According to the report, the court was satisfied that Furlong "had used or threatened violence" against her partner, though no lasting physical harm was caused and the couple are no longer together.
Serious Breach of Professional Standards
Chief Constable Guildford emphasised the seriousness of the breach in his report, stating: "Her conduct in gaining a domestic violence protection order at the magistrates' court brings serious discredit upon West Midlands Police and the wider service."
The report further noted: "Police officers are expected at all times to act appropriately, not to break the laws they are supposed to uphold. Domestic violence by a serving officer directly undermines public trust."
Officer's Response and Dismissal
PC Furlong, who joined the force in June 2021, accepted that she had breached policing standards and that her actions amounted to gross misconduct. The report stated: "She does fully accept her wrongdoing. She states that she is sorry and that she has reflected on her actions."
Character references were provided to the panel by both her ex-partner and her mother during the proceedings.
Following an accelerated misconduct hearing on December 18, 2025, Furlong was dismissed without notice. Chief Constable Guildford concluded: "A serving officer being arrested, and subsequently being issued with such a court order to protect her ex-partner from further violence or a threat of violence whether on or off duty is a very serious matter of gross misconduct."
The case highlights the police service's commitment to addressing domestic violence regardless of the perpetrator's gender or profession, with the report emphasising that such behaviour "directly undermines public confidence" in law enforcement.
