Former West Midlands Police officer sentenced for assault on woman in Halesowen
PC Calum Brand pulled the woman’s hair and elbowed her in the face during a call-out
A former West Midlands Police officer has been given a community order after he was found guilty of assaulting a woman during a call-out to a domestic disturbance in Halesowen.
PC Calum Brand pulled the woman’s hair and elbowed her in the face during a scuffle in a communal stairwell after she tried to interrupt officers who’d arrested her partner last year.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an independent investigation following a mandatory conduct referral from West Midlands Police on 4 July 2025.
The IOPC said police body worn video showed the woman approach PC Brand from behind before he grabbed her hair, pinned her down by the neck, and elbowed her to the side of the head.
She suffered facial injuries but was not seriously hurt.
The IOPC said in interview, PC Brand said the woman hit his back and, fearing she may have a weapon, used what he believed was appropriate, proportionate force.
He arrested her on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, but she was later released without charge.
PC Brand had denied one count of assault by beating but was found guilty at Nottingham Magistrates Court on 15 July.
He was sentenced at the same court yesterday (September 7) where he was handed a community order, including 150 hours of unpaid work.
"There was no justification for the level of force he used"
The 27-year-old was one of four officers who attended the domestic incident at the block of flats on 16 June last year.
On 2 September this year, a misconduct hearing held by West Midlands Police found gross misconduct proven on the basis that PC Brand had breached the police professional standard of discreditable conduct through his conviction for a criminal offence.
He would have been dismissed without notice had he not already resigned from the force and was also placed on the barred list which prevents him from working in policing in the future.
IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell, said: “This was a challenging situation for the officers. The man was clearly drunk, largely incoherent, and there was a struggle in the stairwell.
“The woman tried to intervene, and PC Brand’s response was disproportionate and unnecessary. There was no justification for the level of force he used and no attempt to de-escalate the situation.
"The woman did not pose a genuine threat to PC Brand and, to that point, had not shown any aggression towards the officers.
“The woman suffered facial injuries at the hands of an officer who should have been there to help protect and safeguard her.”