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 between May 1 and November 14, 2025.
The messages indicated familiarity with and association with controlled drug use and recreational Nitrous Oxide use while Matthews was serving with Cheshire Police.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, who acted as the decision maker, highlighted that Matthews was working in the force’s Firearms Department during the period.
He determined Matthews’ conduct amounted to Gross Misconduct and said the former officer had shown no remorse or provided a credible explanation.
Matthews had already resigned from Cheshire Police on July 6, 2026.
The Chief Constable determined that dismissal without notice would have been the appropriate disciplinary outcome had Matthews remained a serving officer.
Matthews was instead placed on the Barred List, preventing him from re-entering the policing profession.
The proven breaches concerned Integrity and Discreditable Conduct.
Cheshire Constabulary
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40 Misconduct Hearings
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This archive brings together misconduct hearings, disciplinary outcomes and criminal cases involving officers from Cheshire Constabulary. It includes reporting on hearings, published outcomes, and related court proceedings, along with indexed data on cases over time.
