A top crime chief says he "regrets the distress" caused to a female police officer after he sent an "inappropriate email" to her asking for help to organise an election campaign photoshoot. 

The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel's complaints sub-committee met on January 21 to consider a complaint against the Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews (Reform). 

The meeting was held behind closed doors with officials saying this was to "protect the integrity of the informal resolution process" and to "respect the privacy of the individuals involved". 

But documents leaked to the BBC last month said the complaint concerned the PCC asking a female police officer to help him organise an election campaign photo with a horse in reference to Vladimir Putin's famous topless photoshoot. 

It said Mr Matthews "sent an unsolicited email to a police officer asking her to organise for him to have a photo taken with a horse for his next election leaflet, referencing a photograph of Russian president Vladimir Putin posing shirtless on horseback". 



Matthews was referencing this popular photograph of Putin from 2009 (Photo: ABC News)

The complaint was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on September 4 last year but was sent on to the Police and Crime Panel complaints sub-committee after bosses ruled no criminal offence had taken place. 

In a report published this week, following the hearing, the committee said an "informal resolution" to the complaint was achieved. 

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They added: "We considered written submissions from both parties regarding an email sent by the PCC to a female serving police officer.  

"Without making findings of fact, the sub-committee considered the tone and content of the message to be inappropriate for the office and inconsistent with the high standards expected of a PCC. 

"An informal resolution was achieved with the PCC having expressed regret at the meeting for the offence and distress caused to the complainant and having acknowledged that sending the email was inappropriate. 

"A reminder has been recorded about maintaining appropriate professional distance and care in communications with officers." 

Mr Matthews was elected as PCC in 2021 and was re-elected in 2024. He stood on both occasions as the Conservative candidate but defected to Reform last year. 

Following the publication of the committee's findings, Mr Matthews said: "As the sub-committee has stated, this has been resolved. The matter is now at an end."