Police Misconduct

PC Mohammed Abid of Greater Manchester Police was found guilty of gross misconduct for directing racist comments at a female colleague and participating in a year-long campaign of racial mocking. Following a disciplinary hearing, he was dismissed from the force without notice on September 2, 2026.

Former PC Edward Reed of Thames Valley Police was found to have engaged in a sustained course of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour towards female colleagues and a member of the public between September and November 2023. Following a misconduct hearing, the panel concluded the actions amounted to gross misconduct, and it was determined that had he still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice.

Former PC Bhupinder Jit Singh of the Metropolitan Police breached confidentiality and engaged in discreditable conduct by accessing police systems without a lawful purpose on 14 January 2023. Following a misconduct hearing on 13 July 2026, it was determined that the officer would have been dismissed had he still been serving.

Former PC Robbie Wilson of Thames Valley Police was found to have engaged in a course of sexually inappropriate conduct towards three junior female colleagues while on duty, including non-consensual sexual acts in a marked police vehicle. The panel determined that his actions constituted gross misconduct, and the confirmed outcome was that he would have been dismissed had he still been serving.

Former PC Lily Maxey of Thames Valley Police was convicted of two offences under the Data Protection Act 2018 for accessing police systems and photographing restricted information for non-policing purposes. An accelerated misconduct hearing concluded that her actions amounted to gross misconduct, and it was determined she would have been dismissed had she not already resigned.

PC Chenise Austin of Avon and Somerset Constabulary faced a misconduct hearing regarding four instances of unwanted physical contact with a PCSO colleague, including pulling clothing, leaning in to simulate a kiss, pressing her head against the colleague's neck, and pinching the colleague's bottom. The misconduct panel found the officer's actions constituted sexual misconduct, and the outcome was a Final Written Warning for a period of three years.

Former PC Lee Atherton of Greater Manchester Police was found to have committed gross misconduct after breaching a Domestic Abuse Protection Order on three occasions in February 2025. Following his criminal conviction for these breaches, the misconduct hearing panel determined that he would have been dismissed had he not already resigned from the force.

PC A of Avon and Somerset Police was dismissed without notice following an accelerated misconduct hearing on July 1, 2026. The panel determined that the officer's subjection to two non-molestation orders issued by the Family Court constituted gross misconduct that brought discredit upon the police service.

PC Alejandro Varela-Garcia of the Metropolitan Police was found to have engaged in discreditable conduct by posting, liking, and sharing discriminatory social media content that was misogynistic, transphobic, and mocked people with disabilities while identifying himself as an officer. Following a hearing on July 2, 2026, he was dismissed without notice on July 3, 2026.

PC Luke Hurst of Avon and Somerset Police was dismissed without notice on July 2, 2026, following a finding of gross misconduct. The officer was found to have encouraged dishonest behavior regarding a Universal Credit application, shared racist, misogynistic, and ableist messages, and breached conditions of an approved business interest by working unauthorized hours.

Former Police Constable James Wood of Thames Valley Police was found to have committed gross misconduct after making a series of racist and discriminatory comments, including disparaging remarks about immigrants and Muslims, and posting offensive content on social media. The misconduct panel concluded that his actions were so serious that he would have been dismissed had he still been a serving officer, with the final outcome recorded on July 2, 2026.

Former PC Michael Jones faced a gross misconduct hearing regarding on-duty sexual communications and encounters. The officer resigned during the hearing, and the panel determined that had he remained in service, he would have been dismissed without notice. Consequently, because he was no longer a serving officer at the conclusion of the proceedings, the formal outcome was not a dismissal.

Greater Manchester Police Sergeant Gareth Higginbottom faced a misconduct hearing regarding allegations of sexual harassment, including the sending of insulting messages and unsolicited sexualised comments toward junior female colleagues. The misconduct panel found the allegations proven as Gross Misconduct, and on 1 July 2026, the outcome was determined to be a reduction in rank.

A former South Yorkshire Police officer has today (29 June) been jailed after admitting two counts of misconduct in a public office. Christopher Cave, of Formby in Liverpool, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday where he was sent to prison for one year and nine months. Cave, 62, formed a sexual relationship with a victim of crime while working as an officer in Nottinghamshire in 2004. The relationship continued until early 2011. The allegations came to light in 2022 while Cave was working at SYP as an evidence review officer as part of a retirement scheme available to people who have accumulated more than 30 years of police work. He was arrested and suspended from duties in June of the same year. Cave had worked for SYP as an officer between 2010 and 2017 and returned to the force after retiring, firstly in a staff role and later in the evidence review officer role. He officially resigned from the force in December 2023. The officer in charge of this case, Detective Constable Nicola Milner, said: “Cave crudely and blatantly abused the trust placed in him as a police officer and the victim in this case remains at the forefront of our minds. “His conduct fell well below the standard that is expected of our officers and we welcome the result of today’s sentencing in court.” An internal misconduct process will now go ahead following the conclusion of criminal proceedings

PC Mohammed Ali Akbar Ryhan was dismissed from Greater Manchester Police following an accelerated misconduct hearing on 25 June 2026. The hearing concluded that his actions amounted to gross misconduct, leading to his dismissal without notice. The case involved three specific sets of contact utilizing a force mobile phone: On Duty: On 23rd October 2019, he contacted an adult sex worker while on duty. On Sick Leave: On 4th August 2023, he contacted an adult sex worker while reportedly off sick. Off Duty: Between 9th May 2020 and 23rd March 2023, he contacted sixteen adult sex workers while off duty. Former PC Ryhan chose not to engage with the investigation or the hearing process. He did not submit a Regulation 54 response and provided no indication as to whether he accepted the allegations or if they amounted to gross misconduct.

PC Lewis Symm of Thames Valley Police faced a misconduct hearing regarding allegations of inappropriate and sexually suggestive behaviour towards female colleagues between October 2024 and January 2025. While several allegations of disrespectful and degrading conduct were proven, The available outcomes at a Misconduct Hearing where there is a finding of misconduct are as follows: • Written warning

A former Greater Manchester Police officer was found guilty of gross misconduct after encouraging sexual violence against women in online chats. Although the misconduct hearing ruled that he would have been dismissed without notice, he had already resigned from the force two days prior to the hearing.

Police Sergeant Natalie Dolan was dismissed for exchanging offensive messages and leaking confidential policing data to a student officer. Her actions were found to breach multiple Standards of Professional Behaviour, leading to a finding of gross misconduct after a four-day misconduct hearing.

PC Kabir Hayat was dismissed for gross misconduct after contacting multiple adult sex workers over a compressed period of time. The Chief Constable determined that his behavior fell far below the standards expected of a police officer and emphasized the risk of exploitation to vulnerable individuals.

Former Police Sergeant Keir engaged in inappropriate contact with adult sex workers while off duty, using his GMP-issued phone. He admitted to breaching Standards of Professional Behaviour and acknowledged the behavior as Gross Misconduct, but had already resigned prior to the hearing. Had he not resigned, he would have been dismissed with immediate effect.

Former Police Constable Officer X engaged in discriminatory conduct, including sharing racist, misogynistic, and ableist content, discussing illegal drug use, and indicating intentions to misuse his position for inappropriate sexual relationships. These actions breached multiple professional standards, leading to his dismissal and addition to the College of Policing’s Barred List.

PC Lucy Guy resigned from Greater Manchester Police on 31st May 2026, prior to a misconduct hearing scheduled for 27th May 2026. The hearing proceeded in her absence, and the panel found that her conduct amounted to gross misconduct, leading to her dismissal without notice.

Former Officer David Loftus accessed secure police computer systems for personal curiosity and shared confidential information with his former partner. He was found to have breached standards of Confidentiality, Orders and Instructions, and Discreditable Conduct, but the final ruling did not confirm a dismissal as he had already resigned prior to the outcome.

A Misconduct Hearing was held at Merseyside Police Headquarters, Liverpool, L3 3AN on Monday 11 May 2026 and concluded on Thursday 14 May 2026 it was chaired by Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ryan. The hearing was in relation to Constable Gary Carson who faced the following breaches of the Standards of Professional Behaviour at the level of gross misconduct: Honesty and Integrity: In that in using an elderly neighbour’s account to benefit you and your family you acted dishonestly and without integrity. Discreditable Conduct: That in using your elderly neighbour’s bank account in the way in which you had to benefit you and your family, you have acted in a manner that is likely to bring the police service into disrepute Discreditable conduct: Your actions in failing to seek assistance from the authorities (social services and other agencies) for a person whom you had befriended and who put great store by the fact that you were a police officer, has the propensity to bring the police service into disrepute. The officer was found to have breached the above standards at gross misconduct level by the Chairperson and was given the sanction of dismissal without notice. The officer has been added to the College of Policing barred list.

PC James Morrow was dismissed from duty after being found to have committed gross misconduct following a conviction for assault by beating. The misconduct related to an incident occurring off duty, which was determined to harm the reputation of the police service.

PC Misho Tamoev was subject to an accelerated misconduct hearing regarding his driving conduct and alleged dishonest reporting. The panel found the behaviour amounted to gross misconduct but opted to issue a final written warning rather than dismissal. Subsequently, the officer was jailed for 10 months following a criminal conviction for causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving.

Former Acting Sergeant Beard engaged in inappropriate communication with a female colleague and was dishonest when questioned about the relationship. He resigned on 29 October 2023. The misconduct hearing found breaches of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, leading to dismissal.

Former Police Constable Michael Elmer was convicted on 27th February 2026 at Exeter Crown Court for multiple counts related to indecent images of children and sharing intimate photographs for sexual gratification. The Accelerated Misconduct Hearing on 7th April 2026 found his conduct amounted to gross misconduct, leading to his dismissal from Avon and Somerset Police. The 36-year-old, of Swineford in South Gloucestershire, also admitted a charge of sharing a photo of a person in an intimate state for the purposes of sexual gratification. Elmer, whose crimes were committed while he was a serving police officer, was jailed at Exeter Crown Court, and also given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

Former PC Stephen Faulkner was dismissed following a misconduct hearing on April 1, 2026. The panel found that he used his position to behave in a sexist manner, making a female colleague feel uncomfortable and offended. Faulkner resigned during the investigation and did not attend the hearing.

Former PC Keir Chesterton was alleged to have sexually harassed a colleague, Ms A, on two separate occasions in 2023. The first incident occurred during a social event where Chesterton made unwanted advances towards Ms A, despite her indicating she was in a relationship. The second incident involved Chesterton touching Ms A's thigh while operating a police vehicle. Chesterton resigned from the force on 2nd September 2024, prior to the misconduct hearing held on 30th March 2026, where the panel found the allegations substantiated but did not specify the outcome of the proceedings.

PS Neil Wood admitted to gross misconduct involving violent incidents with neighbours during a party on July 4, 2020. The misconduct hearing concluded with his dismissal.

Sergeant X intentionally used a picture frame to depress keys on her work laptop for approximately 41.5 hours over 25 shifts in April and May 2024, creating a false impression of working hours. This behavior breached standards of Honesty and Integrity, Duties and Responsibilities, and Discreditable Conduct, leading to dismissal.

The officer sent messages of a sexual nature to a woman, having also identified himself as a police officer. Misconduct recorded; no further action as resigned.

The officer failed to record an assault at a domestic incident and intentionally failed to upload his BWC for six months. These actions are considered to amount to Operational Dishonesty.

The officer sent social media messages to a woman, with whom he had no connection through his policing duties, and made knowingly dishonest comments to friends and colleagues regarding an intimate relationship with her. He accessed the woman’s social media without permission to obtain information and photographs to support a false claim.

Charlotte Turner, a former Police Constable with Avon and Somerset Police, was convicted of two counts of computer misuse under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 for accessing police systems to alter details of her ex-partner's insurance. She was sentenced to an 18-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work, a 5-year restraining order, and a £114 victim surcharge. The misconduct led to her dismissal for gross misconduct.

A serving British Transport Police officer has been dismissed without notice from the Force following a public misconduct hearing. PC Anil Chutte attended the hearing, which was held in York between 23 and 26 June, where he answered allegations that he breached the standards of professional behaviour. A number of allegations were found proven by the Independent Panel which related to PC Chutte taking and retaining a BTP vehicle without permission, or a legitimate policing purpose, between 16 May 2025 and 4 September 2025. These included: PC Chutte took the BTP vehicle without consent and kept it at his home address, and another address, during this time period, using it for personal purposes while off duty. He did not seek permission from his supervisor to take the vehicle home or to use it for non-operational purposes. On 2 September 2025, whilst off duty, telematics data showed he drove the police vehicle from his home address to a retail park. On 3 September 2025, after completing work at Court, he reported that the vehicle had broken down and required recovery. This location was not on the direct route between the Court and BTP Nottingham, but was close to his home address. Once the vehicle was recovered and operational, he drove it to his home address rather than returning it to BTP Nottingham. The Independent Panel found his actions amounted to gross misconduct and he was dismissed from the force without notice.

DS Robinson was dismissed from the Bedfordshire Police following an expedited misconduct hearing. The hearing concluded that the officer had engaged in discreditable conduct, which warranted termination of employment.