Wiltshire Police Officer Found Guilty of Gross Misconduct Over Inappropriate Messages
A Wiltshire Police officer has been found guilty of gross misconduct after sending highly inappropriate and offensive images to a colleague via WhatsApp.
The misconduct hearing, held at Wiltshire Police Headquarters on Thursday, 26 June, concluded that PC Stephen Proctor’s actions breached key standards of professional behaviour and would have resulted in instant dismissal had he not resigned earlier that day.
Misconduct Details
The panel heard that between 28 March 2022 and 2 September 2022, PC Proctor used his personal mobile phone to send a series of misogynistic, sexualised, and offensive images to a work colleague. These were sent via the messaging platform WhatsApp.
Chairing the hearing, Assistant Chief Constable Ian Saunders confirmed the panel’s decision that PC Proctor’s behaviour constituted breaches of the standards relating to:
Officer Placed on Barred List
Although PC Proctor resigned from Wiltshire Police just hours before the panel delivered its ruling, the hearing continued in accordance with Police Conduct Regulations 2020. The panel determined he would have been dismissed without notice had he remained an officer.
As a result, Proctor has been added to the national barred list, preventing him from holding any policing role in the future. He has 10 working days to appeal the decision.
Police Leadership Responds
Assistant Chief Constable Saunders stated:
“The actions of former PC Stephen Proctor were completely unacceptable and fall well below the high standards of professionalism that we expect of all our police officers, staff and volunteers.”
“There is no place within our organisation for anyone who conducts themselves in this inappropriate manner, including on personal devices.”
Improving Reporting Mechanisms
In a broader move to improve transparency and accountability, Wiltshire Police launched the Safe2Say Anonymous Reporting System in December 2023. This internal platform allows officers, staff, and volunteers to report misconduct or concerns confidentially.
The force has reiterated its commitment to rooting out unacceptable behaviour and ensuring integrity within its ranks.
