Wiltshire Cop Booted for Sending Offensive Images to Colleague
PC Stephen Proctor Found Guilty of Gross Misconduct
Wiltshire Police has confirmed that PC Stephen Proctor has been found guilty of gross misconduct. The officer sent highly inappropriate and offensive images via WhatsApp to a colleague. The hearing took place on Thursday, 26 June, at Wiltshire Police Headquarters.
Proctor’s actions breached key professional standards. Had he not resigned earlier that day, he would have faced instant dismissal.
Misogynistic Messages Spark Outrage
The panel heard that between 28 January 2022 and 2 September 2022, PC Proctor used his personal phone to share a series of misogynistic, sexualised, and offensive images with a colleague on WhatsApp.
Assistant Chief Constable Ian Saunders chairing the hearing confirmed Proctor’s behaviour broke standards regarding:
- Authority, Respect and Courtesy
- Equality and Diversity
- Discreditable Conduct
Officer Barred for Life Despite Resignation
Though Proctor quit just hours before the panel’s verdict, the hearing went ahead. Under Police Conduct Regulations 2020, the panel ruled he would have been dismissed without notice if still serving.
Proctor has since been added to the national barred list, banning him permanently from any policing role. He has 10 working days to appeal the decision.
Police Chief Slams ‘Completely Unacceptable’ Behaviour
“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,” said Assistant Chief Constable Saunders.
“There is no place within our organisation for anyone who conducts themselves in this inappropriate manner, including on personal devices.”
Wiltshire Police Launches New Anonymous Reporting System
To crack down on misconduct, Wiltshire Police rolled out the Safe2Say Anonymous Reporting System in December 2023. This platform enables officers, staff, and volunteers to confidentially report concerns or wrongdoing.
The force remains committed to rooting out unacceptable behaviour and maintaining integrity across its ranks.
