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An investigation has uncovered that Theo Rose, the son of a former police officer, was wrongly persuaded by West Midlands Police (WMP) to accept a community resolution for violence, despite not admitting to any such offense. Initially reporting that he was assaulted at school, Theo found himself unexpectedly treated as the offender in the incident. A review conducted by the Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) revealed concerns that Theo may have agreed to the sanction under misleading circumstances and without full understanding of its implications. Subsequently, the police force withdrew the community resolution in February and issued a formal apology to Theo the following month.
Theo had approached Halesowen police station in December 2023, claiming that he had been attacked twice by a fellow student at his sixth form college, an assault witnessed and encouraged to be reported by a lecturer. By February, police had convinced Theo, then aged 18, to accept a community resolution for affray—a charge describing the use or threat of unlawful violence. However, Theo later realized with his parents’ help that he might have been unfairly treated, especially as the sanction could damage his future job prospects. “I was quite fearful for my future,” Theo stated, reflecting his concerns about the consequences.
Rod Rose, Theo’s father and a detective chief inspector at the time, supported his son in lodging a complaint with the police professional standards department. Their internal investigation found that officers had told Theo there was “overwhelming and contradictory evidence” against him. Further scrutiny by the OPCC, including bodycam footage, showed Theo denying involvement in violence, with key witness statements supporting his version of events. Theo admitted he did not understand what affray meant, even after asking the officer to explain it. The professional standards team later reclassified the charges into two assaults—one against Theo and another implicating him as an offender—which Theo was unaware of and did not accept. The OPCC questioned whether Theo’s actions might have been justified as self-defense, emphasizing that the sanction was likely agreed to under “false pretences,” as Theo believed he was resolving a different issue.
Community resolutions are intended to handle minor offenses outside of formal court procedures, typically requiring a clear admission of guilt and victim consent. These resolutions do not appear on criminal records but are included in enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, which can affect employment opportunities. The OPCC report highlighted that Theo had been “misinformed” about the consequences of accepting such a resolution. Theo explained he only consented because he wanted to avoid court, saying, “That was the only reason why I was more than happy to accept a community resolution.” Theo’s father, who had worked in the out-of-court disposals department, recognized procedural errors and was frustrated that his son had been questioned without the chance to seek advice. Despite the resolution being rescinded by WMP after the OPCC’s recommendations, Theo’s original complaint as a victim remains unresolved, with trust in the police deeply shaken
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