Fifteen officers have committed gross misconduct, 14 have been barred from policing and another 15 officers or staff remain under investigation following one of the police watchdog’s largest-ever investigations. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is accustomed to criticism. Members of the public frequently accuse the police watchdog of taking too long, failing to secure… Continue reading Rarely Praised, Often Criticised: Charing Cross Investigation Shows The IOPC At Its Best
The North
Cheshire, Cumbria, Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, Cleveland, Durham, Humberside, North Yorkshire, Northumbria, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire
PC Stuart Ayling Gave Stalking Suspect Three-minute Phone Warning After Woman Reported Assaults
A police officer who gave a suspected stalker a three-minute telephone warning after his former partner reported repeated harassment and previous assaults has received a four-year final written warning. PC Stuart Ayling attended Miss X on January 3, 2024, after she reported that her former boyfriend had repeatedly harassed her at work. She also disclosed… Continue reading PC Stuart Ayling Gave Stalking Suspect Three-minute Phone Warning After Woman Reported Assaults
Police Officer Supplied Anabolic Steroids And Shared BODYCAM Footage Before Quitting Force
A former police officer supplied anabolic steroids to a man and shared confidential body-worn video footage on three separate occasions, a misconduct hearing has found. Former Cheshire Police Constable Shannon Burt, appeared before an accelerated misconduct hearing on August 18, 2026. The hearing was told that Burt had shared body-worn video footage on various dates… Continue reading Police Officer Supplied Anabolic Steroids And Shared BODYCAM Footage Before Quitting Force
Firearms Cop PC William Matthews Barred From Policing Over Drug And Nitrous Oxide Messages
A CHESHIRE Police firearms officer has been barred from policing after sending and receiving messages indicating familiarity with controlled drugs and the recreational use of Nitrous Oxide. Former PC William Matthews was the subject of an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing on August 10, 2026. The hearing considered messages and online activity on Matthews’ personal mobile phone… Continue reading Firearms Cop PC William Matthews Barred From Policing Over Drug And Nitrous Oxide Messages
Veteran Detective Who Called Ex-partner 69 TIMES In Row Over Battle To Get His Dog Back Escapes Dismissal
Former detective Gary Birch made 42 calls on one day and another 27 a month later The officer of 26 years admitted harassment and accepted a conditional caution Panel found gross misconduct but said his poor mental health reduced his culpability Had he still been serving, he would have received a final written warning A… Continue reading Veteran Detective Who Called Ex-partner 69 TIMES In Row Over Battle To Get His Dog Back Escapes Dismissal
All Men Are Rapists’ Northumbria Police Detective Made Discriminatory Remark, Misconduct Panel Finds
DC Rachel Fletcher claimed one comment was a joke and insisted witnesses had misheard or misremembered her — but a misconduct panel branded her denials “wholly implausible” DC Rachel Fletcher denied making the remarks and claimed colleagues had either misunderstood or misremembered what she said. But the panel accepted the accounts of four police witnesses… Continue reading All Men Are Rapists’ Northumbria Police Detective Made Discriminatory Remark, Misconduct Panel Finds
LOOKING BACK: Cleared In Court, Cleared Again — So Why Were Two GMP Officers Put Through A Seven-year Ordeal?
Paul Jackson and Paul Lockett were acquitted of every criminal charge before every remaining misconduct allegation was found not proven. Misconduct999 looks back at a case that raises an uncomfortable question about the human cost of prolonged police investigations. Two Greater Manchester Police officers spent seven years facing criminal and disciplinary proceedings over allegations that… Continue reading LOOKING BACK: Cleared In Court, Cleared Again — So Why Were Two GMP Officers Put Through A Seven-year Ordeal?
‘Send Me The Draft’: Cop Sacked After Partner Did His Dissertation
A police officer who passed off his partner’s university work as his own and applied for a bank loan in her name without consent has been dismissed without notice. PC Benvenuto Picone submitted assignments and a dissertation completed or significantly contributed to by “Person A” while studying at Liverpool John Moores University. The Merseyside Police… Continue reading ‘Send Me The Draft’: Cop Sacked After Partner Did His Dissertation
Two Lancashire Police Officers Sacked After Assaulting Colleagues While Off Duty On The SAME DAY
PCs Neil Salway and George Shaw were dismissed without notice following separate accelerated misconduct hearings — but published outcomes do not state that the cases were connected Two police officers from the same force have been sacked after assaulting colleagues while off duty on the same day. PC Neil Salway and PC George Shaw were… Continue reading Two Lancashire Police Officers Sacked After Assaulting Colleagues While Off Duty On The SAME DAY
Police Officer Accused Of Comparing Colleague’s Skin Colour To Bounty, Coconut And Milky Way Bars
A police officer is to face a gross misconduct hearing after allegedly comparing a colleague’s skin colour to chocolate bars and making insulting comments about Ramadan. Officer A is accused of making a series of racist comments while on duty with North Yorkshire Police between April 2022 and October 2023. The officer allegedly told a… Continue reading Police Officer Accused Of Comparing Colleague’s Skin Colour To Bounty, Coconut And Milky Way Bars
Former PC Allegedly Had Sex With Woman Despite Warning Over Her Relationships With Officers
A former North Yorkshire Police officer allegedly entered into a sexual relationship with a woman despite being warned about interactions with her because of her history of relationships with police officers. Former PC Callum Storr is accused of contacting the woman after attending her home while on duty following a report of domestic abuse. He… Continue reading Former PC Allegedly Had Sex With Woman Despite Warning Over Her Relationships With Officers
Second GMP Officer Barred Over Drugs In Seven Months After Cocaine And Cannabis Test
PC Jack Sanderson’s dismissal follows the January case of former Detective Chief Inspector James Faulkner, who tested positive for anabolic steroids A second Greater Manchester Police officer has been thrown out of policing over illicit drug use within the space of seven months. PC Jack Sanderson was dismissed without notice on 10 August 2026 after… Continue reading Second GMP Officer Barred Over Drugs In Seven Months After Cocaine And Cannabis Test
Six Women Among Nine GMP Officers Facing Misconduct Hearing Over Alleged Racist Treatment Of Black Colleague
Six women are among nine serving and former Greater Manchester Police officers facing a major misconduct hearing over allegations of racist language and behaviour towards a Black colleague. The number of female officers involved makes the case particularly unusual. Since Misconduct999 began reporting on police misconduct cases in 2021, it has never previously encountered a… Continue reading Six Women Among Nine GMP Officers Facing Misconduct Hearing Over Alleged Racist Treatment Of Black Colleague
Detective Inspector Victoria Shelton Accused Of Trying To Influence Investigation Involving Suspect’s Family
A Cheshire detective inspector will face an accelerated misconduct hearing over allegations that she attempted to influence a police investigation after failing to disclose a personal conflict of interest. Detective Inspector Victoria Shelton became involved in an investigation in February 2026 despite a personal connection to the suspect’s family. It is alleged she accessed police… Continue reading Detective Inspector Victoria Shelton Accused Of Trying To Influence Investigation Involving Suspect’s Family
Durham PC Stephen Holmes Used Police Database To Find Woman’s Home Before Taking Her Back For Sex
A Durham police officer abused confidential police databases to obtain a woman’s home address before turning up at her house and taking her back to his own home for sex, a misconduct hearing has found. Former Police Constable Stephen Holmes resigned from Durham Constabulary before facing an accelerated misconduct hearing, but Chair Rachel Bacon ruled… Continue reading Durham PC Stephen Holmes Used Police Database To Find Woman’s Home Before Taking Her Back For Sex
PC Shannon Burt Faces Misconduct Hearing Over Alleged Steroid Supply
It is alleged that PC Shannon Burt was involved in the supply of Class C anabolic steroids while serving as a Cheshire Police officer, compromising her position and bringing discredit upon the police service. It is further alleged that, on three separate occasions while serving with Greater Manchester Police, she shared body-worn video clips with… Continue reading PC Shannon Burt Faces Misconduct Hearing Over Alleged Steroid Supply
Why The High Court Upheld The Decision Not To Dismiss Inspector Alex Taylor
The High Court has rejected an attempt by the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police to overturn a misconduct panel’s decision not to dismiss an inspector who admitted having sex with a junior colleague on police premises while on duty. Inspector Alex Taylor was found guilty of gross misconduct after having sex with a Police… Continue reading Why The High Court Upheld The Decision Not To Dismiss Inspector Alex Taylor
From Sex Workers To Domestic Abuse: Inside Six Months Of Misconduct At Greater Manchester Police
Misconduct999 analysed every misconduct outcome published by Greater Manchester Police during the first half of 2026. The findings reveal recurring themes including misuse of police systems, sexual misconduct, domestic abuse and repeated cases described as “Key Jamming”, while more than two-thirds of officer cases resulted in dismissal or a finding that dismissal would have been… Continue reading From Sex Workers To Domestic Abuse: Inside Six Months Of Misconduct At Greater Manchester Police
PC Burgess Accused Of Exchanging 250 Messages With Vulnerable Domestic Abuse Victim After Being Ordered To Stop Contact
A Cleveland Police officer is due to face a gross misconduct hearing over allegations that he pursued an inappropriate sexual relationship with a vulnerable domestic abuse victim he met while carrying out his policing duties. PC Burgess is alleged to have established a sexual relationship with the woman between 9 and 22 July 2024 after… Continue reading PC Burgess Accused Of Exchanging 250 Messages With Vulnerable Domestic Abuse Victim After Being Ordered To Stop Contact
Merseyside Police Officer Convicted Of Misconduct In Public Office After Propositioning Sex Workers
A Merseyside Police officer has been convicted of misconduct in public office after propositioning sex workers while on duty and making sexual comments to a vulnerable child. PC Carl Edwards, 37, was found guilty at Chester Crown Court of three counts of misconduct in public office and two data protection offences following an investigation directed… Continue reading Merseyside Police Officer Convicted Of Misconduct In Public Office After Propositioning Sex Workers
Officer Allowed To Act As GMP Sergeant While Facing Excessive Force Investigation
A Greater Manchester Police officer was allowed to carry out sergeant duties and pass part of the promotion process while under investigation over allegations that he used unnecessary and disproportionate force. David Rothwell was a probationary police constable when the incident took place on December 28, 2021, but was serving as a temporary sergeant by… Continue reading Officer Allowed To Act As GMP Sergeant While Facing Excessive Force Investigation
Sergeant Matthew Baldwin Left Fellow Officer ‘Ashamed’ To Be A North Yorkshire Police Officer
A drunken police sergeant called a man a “fucking pervert” before assaulting his wife and pushing an on-duty officer who was trying to deal with the incident. Sergeant Matthew Baldwin was off duty at a North Yorkshire Police Christmas social when a female colleague reported that a member of the public had touched her skirt.… Continue reading Sergeant Matthew Baldwin Left Fellow Officer ‘Ashamed’ To Be A North Yorkshire Police Officer
Two West Yorkshire Police Officers Face Gross Misconduct Hearings On Consecutive Days After Admitting Criminal Offences
Two West Yorkshire Police officers are due to face gross misconduct proceedings on consecutive days after one was convicted of attacking an Uber driver and another accepted a conditional caution for harassing a former partner. Sergeant Edward Howard will appear at a gross misconduct hearing on July 30 after pleading guilty to intentional strangulation and… Continue reading Two West Yorkshire Police Officers Face Gross Misconduct Hearings On Consecutive Days After Admitting Criminal Offences
DC Rachel Fletcher Faces Misconduct Hearing Over Alleged Sexist And Transphobic Comments
A Northumbria Police detective is due to face a public misconduct hearing over comments she allegedly made while on duty. DC Rachel Fletcher will appear before a misconduct panel from Wednesday, July 29, to Friday, July 31, 2026. DC Fletcher is accused of making sexist, inappropriate and offensive comments about men in general between February… Continue reading DC Rachel Fletcher Faces Misconduct Hearing Over Alleged Sexist And Transphobic Comments
