The defence remains one of the most powerful justifications available to officers – and one of the hardest for families to challenge. When police officers are accused of misconduct or excessive force, one phrase routinely appears at the centre of their defence: “I had an honestly held belief.” Under the Criminal Law Act 1967, supported… Continue reading Fear Over Facts: How ‘Honestly Held Belief’ Shapes Police Accountability
Newsletters
How Can This Build Public Confidence? The Police Officer Who Assaulted A Child And Kept His Job
How can this build public confidence? The police officer who assaulted a child and kept his job A police officer convicted in court of assaulting a child, found to have committed gross misconduct, and told that dismissal was the starting point, is still serving as a police officer. That is not an allegation. It is… Continue reading How Can This Build Public Confidence? The Police Officer Who Assaulted A Child And Kept His Job
When Police Power Becomes The Misconduct: What The Nathan Dumble Case Reveals
This case is not shocking because of its detail, but because of what it reveals about how police power can be misused and how the misconduct system ultimately responds when that power is abused. The misconduct proceedings involving former Police Sergeant Nathan Dumble were held in public under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 and resulted… Continue reading When Police Power Becomes The Misconduct: What The Nathan Dumble Case Reveals
The Power Of “Public Confidence” In Police Misconduct Decisions
Why misconduct panels repeatedly rely on “public confidence” and how a single legal test quietly determines whether officers are dismissed or allowed to stay One phrase appears repeatedly in police misconduct outcomes: public confidence. It is cited when officers are dismissed and when officers are allowed to remain in post, often after serious wrongdoing has… Continue reading The Power Of “Public Confidence” In Police Misconduct Decisions
Should Police Officers Be Granted Anonymity In Misconduct Proceedings?
We are seeing a growing number of police officers applying for anonymity during misconduct proceedings. The question now is not whether anonymity can ever be justified, but whether it is increasingly treated as routine. This includes cases where officers have been convicted of criminal offences or acquitted following a criminal trial and then seek anonymity… Continue reading Should Police Officers Be Granted Anonymity In Misconduct Proceedings?
Foreword — January 2026
This is the first issue of 2026, and it begins with a clear position. Misconduct999 does not exist merely to record misconduct. It exists to examine how misconduct is handled, to question outcomes, and to identify where systems fail to operate as intended. In recent years, police forces in England and Wales have repeatedly stated… Continue reading Foreword — January 2026
Essex Police Confirm They Carry Out PNC, Athena And PND Checks On People Applying To Attend Misconduct Hearings
Essex Police has confirmed it conducts criminal record and intelligence checks, including PNC, Athena and, in some cases, PND, on members of the public, journalists and other interested parties who apply to attend police misconduct hearings. Essex Police has told Misconduct999 that “basic checks” are considered necessary “from a security standpoint” when someone requests to… Continue reading Essex Police Confirm They Carry Out PNC, Athena And PND Checks On People Applying To Attend Misconduct Hearings
Charing Cross Wasn’t A Custody Suite It Was A Window Into A Force Rotting From Within
Seven months of hidden cameras. One undercover BBC reporter. And a custody suite so steeped in misogyny, racism and violent bravado that the Met only stepped in once the truth was broadcast to millions. What happened at Charing Cross wasn’t a slip in standards. It was a collapse of basic humanity. One undercover BBC reporter… Continue reading Charing Cross Wasn’t A Custody Suite It Was A Window Into A Force Rotting From Within
West Midlands Police Refuses To Say Whether It Runs Background Checks On The Public Attending Misconduct Hearings Despite National Portfolio Lead Being Its Own Chief Constable
Despite being led by the NPCC’s national misconduct portfolio holder, West Midlands Police will not say whether it carries out PNC, intelligence or other background checks on people applying to attend police misconduct hearings. West Midlands Police has refused to confirm whether it carries out PNC, intelligence or other database checks on members of the… Continue reading West Midlands Police Refuses To Say Whether It Runs Background Checks On The Public Attending Misconduct Hearings Despite National Portfolio Lead Being Its Own Chief Constable
Revealed: Police Secretly Vetting Members Of The Public, Journalists And Interested Parties With PNC And Intelligence Checks Before Misconduct Hearings
Surrey Police is secretly running Police National Computer (PNC) and intelligence checks on members of the public, accredited journalists and other observers who apply to attend its misconduct hearings – even though neither the Home Office, the College of Policing nor the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) set out any national guidance permitting such checks.… Continue reading Revealed: Police Secretly Vetting Members Of The Public, Journalists And Interested Parties With PNC And Intelligence Checks Before Misconduct Hearings
Welcome To Issue 4 Of The Misconduct999 Monthly Newsletter
This month’s newsletter shows how a single, straightforward press question can expose far more than anyone expected. What began as a simple query about attendee checks at misconduct hearings quickly opened a can of worms, revealing a national landscape of secrecy, inconsistent practices, and forces unable or unwilling to explain how they handle the public’s… Continue reading Welcome To Issue 4 Of The Misconduct999 Monthly Newsletter
Police Chiefs Refuse To Answer Federation Criticism Over ‘No Smoke Without Fire’ Culture
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has declined to respond to warnings from the Police Federation that officers continue to face lasting stigma even after being cleared of misconduct allegations. The Police Federation of England and Wales has accused chief officers of failing to tackle a corrosive “no smoke without fire” culture that continues to… Continue reading Police Chiefs Refuse To Answer Federation Criticism Over ‘No Smoke Without Fire’ Culture
No Officer Starts The Day Intent On Doing Harm”: Why Sir Mark Rowley’s Reassurance Rings Hollow
Met Police Commissioner’s attempt to reassure his force after the Fulford–Godwin Review has reignited anger over accountability, with critics saying the new legal test protects officers at the expense of victims On 23 October 2025, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley issued a statement following publication of the Fulford–Godwin Rapid Accountability Review on police use… Continue reading No Officer Starts The Day Intent On Doing Harm”: Why Sir Mark Rowley’s Reassurance Rings Hollow
Police Federation: ‘No Smoke Without Fire’ Culture Ruins Careers Even After Officers Cleared
Cleared but not forgiven: Officers exonerated at misconduct hearings say their reputations never recover, as the Police Federation warns of a ‘no smoke without fire’ culture. The Police Federation has accused chief constables of failing in their duty of care towards officers cleared of misconduct, warning that a ‘no smoke without fire’ culture leaves careers… Continue reading Police Federation: ‘No Smoke Without Fire’ Culture Ruins Careers Even After Officers Cleared
What The Charing Cross Scandal Really Says About The Officers Behind The Badge
The Met’s shame at Charing Cross is not about a handful of officers; it’s proof of a culture that treats cruelty as banter and prejudice as normal. The five officers sacked after the BBC Panorama documentary were not inexperienced or misguided; they were fully aware of their authority, confident in their impunity, and entirely comfortable… Continue reading What The Charing Cross Scandal Really Says About The Officers Behind The Badge
Welcome to Issue 3 of the Misconduct999 Monthly Bulletin
This issue examines three major long reads and a key follow-up story that together reveal the tensions at the heart of modern policing between fairness and accountability, culture and reform, loyalty and silence. Our first feature explores Sir Mark Rowley’s claim that “no officer starts the day intent on doing harm,” asking why that reassurance… Continue reading Welcome to Issue 3 of the Misconduct999 Monthly Bulletin
Statutory Time Limits Block Criminal Investigation for 11 Met Officers in Charing Cross Scandal
Assault allegations against serving and former officers cannot be prosecuted as legal deadlines expire – leaving only misconduct proceedings. A group of 11 Metropolitan Police officers linked to Charing Cross Police Station will not face criminal prosecution over serious assault allegations after statutory time limits prevented charges being brought. The Independent Office for Police Conduct… Continue reading Statutory Time Limits Block Criminal Investigation for 11 Met Officers in Charing Cross Scandal
One GMP officer was sacked after years of repeat misconduct — while another quit just weeks into the job
Two Greater Manchester Police officers have had allegations of gross misconduct proven against them, one after years of warnings and repeat findings, the other after lasting only weeks in the job. PC Christopher Nolan was dismissed in 2025 after an accelerated misconduct hearing at GMP headquarters, chaired by Chief Resources Officer Lee Rawlinson MBE. The… Continue reading One GMP officer was sacked after years of repeat misconduct — while another quit just weeks into the job
“An ‘Honestly Held Belief’ Was Enough to Justify a Broken Spine.”
In May 2020, Jordan Walker-Brown was shot with a Taser as he tried to climb a wall. The fall left him paralysed from the chest down. Five years later, PC Imran Mahmood has been cleared in both a criminal trial and a misconduct hearing — raising profound questions about race, force, and accountability in British… Continue reading “An ‘Honestly Held Belief’ Was Enough to Justify a Broken Spine.”
Should officers be forced to attend their own misconduct hearings?
Calls for police officers to be compelled to attend gross misconduct hearings in person, amid concerns that too many resign before proceedings and avoid direct accountability. Misconduct hearings remain one of the few public forums where police officers are held to account for serious breaches of professional standards. Yet in case after case, officers have… Continue reading Should officers be forced to attend their own misconduct hearings?
Welcome to Issue 2 of the Misconduct999 Monthly Bulletin
Welcome to the second issue of the Misconduct999 Monthly Bulletin. Our debut issue introduced this publication as a permanent, reliable record of police misconduct hearings and criminal proceedings. With Issue 2, we continue that mission, but we also go further. At Misconduct999, we don’t just report the facts as they emerge. We also analyse and… Continue reading Welcome to Issue 2 of the Misconduct999 Monthly Bulletin
Ones to Watch – October 2025
These are the hearings to watch in October. Featured Cases W80 – Metropolitan Police Service – Use of force over the shooting of Jermaine Baker in 2015 PC Theo Atkins – Metropolitan Police Service – Accused of breaches of his basic driving permit over 47 times within 14 days PC David Mellor – Derbyshire Constabulary… Continue reading Ones to Watch – October 2025
Ones to Watch – September 2025
Each month we highlight the misconduct hearings scheduled across the country. These are the hearings to watch in September. Featured Cases PC Imran Mahmood – Metropolitan Police Service — previously cleared over the tasering of Jordan Walker-Brown, now facing misconduct proceedings. PC Jamie Freeman – Metropolitan Police Service — alleged to have driven a police… Continue reading Ones to Watch – September 2025
The Mistake That Would Have Destroyed Misconduct999
It didn’t happen — and it never will, because nothing goes live without rigorous checks. Misconduct999 was launched during COVID in 2021, built entirely on hard graft. Every misconduct outcome was read in full to extract the details needed, and some of those rulings can run into hundreds of pages. Every phone call to a… Continue reading The Mistake That Would Have Destroyed Misconduct999
