A disgraced West Midlands Police officer who thought he was above the law has been handed a prison sentence after his own body-worn camera exposed his involvement in a drug distribution network.
Oliver Banfield, 26, formerly based at Stechford police station, was sentenced to two years and four months at Birmingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
The Unravelling of a Corrupt Officer
The court heard how Banfield's downfall began when his body-worn footage captured him discussing drug transactions while in uniform. The damning evidence showed the officer making arrangements to collect and distribute cannabis, completely betraying his position of trust.
Detective Superintendent Phil Dolby, head of West Midlands Police's Professional Standards Department, expressed his disgust at Banfield's actions: "We expect the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from our officers. Banfield's conduct fell woefully short of these expectations and he has quite rightly been jailed for his crimes."
A Pattern of Deception
Investigators uncovered that Banfield wasn't acting alone. He was working in concert with Leon Riley, 31, who received an identical prison sentence for his role in the conspiracy.
The pair operated their drug supply operation while Banfield was supposed to be serving and protecting the community. His arrest and subsequent dismissal from the force in December 2022 marked the end of a shameful chapter for West Midlands Police.
Zero Tolerance for Corruption
Det Supt Dolby emphasised the force's stance on officer misconduct: "We take a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and will always take robust action against those who engage in criminal behaviour. The public must have confidence in their police force, and we're committed to rooting out those who undermine that trust."
The case serves as a stark reminder that no one is above the law, especially those sworn to uphold it. Banfield's sentence demonstrates that the justice system will deal severely with officers who abuse their position for criminal gain.
