A South Yorkshire Police officer faces a misconduct hearing today (31st May, 2023), at which he will face allegations of sending photographs relating to operational policing matters via the messaging service, WhatsApp.
On multiple occasions, the force says, the pictures were accompanied by ‘inappropriate comments’.
The hearing notice on the SYP website sets out the misconduct allegations against Police Constable Owen Davies:
“It is alleged that on a number of occasions the officer used his personal mobile phone to take and retain photographs relating to operational policing matters. On multiple occasions he used a personal device to share photographs relating to operational policing matters via WhatsApp without a legitimate policing purpose for doing so and accompanied in multiple instances by inappropriate comments.”
Such conduct, if proven to the civil standard (balance of probabilities), would amount to breaches of the police service’s Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of ‘confidentiality, authority, respect and courtesy, honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct’.
Police Regulations state that, if proven, the misconduct alleged against PC Davies amount to breaches of the Standards is so serious as to constitute gross misconduct and justify dismissal without notice.
The College of Policing’s guidance on misconduct hearings sets out that they should be heard by a panel of three people, chaired by an independent legally qualified person chosen from a pool held by the local policing body. In this case, the Office of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (SYPCC).
Other panel members, say the College, should be an officer of at least the rank of Superintendent and an independent lay person drawn from an approved list held by SYPCC.
The force has not released details regarding in which division or unit PC Davies is deployed, whether or not he is suspended or the date on which the alleged incidents occurred.
The hearing will take place at The Lifewise Centre, Kea Park Close, Hellaby Industrial Estate, Rotherham S66 8LB.
Follow Neil Wilby on Twitter (here) and Neil Wilby Media on Facebook (here) for signposts to any updates.
Page last updated: Wednesday 31st May, 2023 at 07h15
Thank you for reading and a polite request: If you feel this article is of value and in the public interest, and wish to make a contribution to the running costs of this website, it would be very much appreciated. Donations can made securely (and anonymously if required), via Buy Me A Coffee at this link or via PayPal at this link.
Corrections: Please let me know if there is a mistake in this article. I will endeavour to correct it as soon as possible.
Picture credit: SYP
Right of reply: If you are mentioned in this article and disagree with it, please let me have your comments. Provided your response is not defamatory it will be added to the article.
© Neil Wilby 2015-2022. Unauthorised use, or reproduction, of the material contained in this article, without permission from the author, is strictly prohibited. Extracts from, and links to, the article (or blog) may be used, provided that credit is given to Neil Wilby Media, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Neil Wilby Media 
Leave a comment