Officer Lied After Woman's Fall

A former police officer, PC Bijan Davarian, has been found guilty of gross misconduct after providing a dishonest account following a serious incident where a vulnerable woman fell from a car park.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated the fall, which occurred on October 6, 2023, near Charles Cross Police Station in Plymouth, Devon. The woman sustained severe injuries from the fall from the third floor.

During the investigation, Davarian initially told colleagues he had seen the woman before her fall. However, he later claimed to the IOPC that he had no recollection of describing her or being aware of the dangerous situation. This discrepancy led to the finding of gross misconduct for breaching honesty and integrity standards.

Serving officer PC Dave Burnard was also found to have committed misconduct for breaches related to discreditable conduct and duties. He received a final written warning lasting three years.

IOPC Director Derrick Campbell highlighted the serious and long-lasting effects on the woman, emphasizing that both officers failed in their duty to respond appropriately to her vulnerable state. He noted that by not immediately engaging with the woman, they missed a crucial opportunity to prevent harm.

CCTV footage showed both officers looking in the woman's direction as they entered the police station, without attempting to interact with her. Approximately nine minutes later, after being alerted by another officer, they left the station to speak with her, but she fell shortly after.

Campbell stressed that Davarian's dishonesty risked undermining public confidence in the police. The IOPC investigation, which began in October 2023, concluded in February 2025, determining that both officers had cases to answer for gross misconduct.