Accelerated Misconduct Hearing Determination - former PC 663 Josh Williams
*This Outcome was not published at the time of the hearing due to an ongoing criminal investigation, which has now concluded.
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Having carefully considered all the relevant documents provided to me and being aware of my powers under Regulations my decision in relation to the outcome of this Accelerated Misconduct Hearing is as follows:
I have reviewed the evidence contained in the bundle prepared for this Hearing. I have also heard the oral evidence presented today by Professional Standards. I note that the officer’s Federation Representative has received no direction from the officer. PC Williams was no present during this Hearing.
I have considered the evidence put forward in relation to this case and a summary of my findings of fact in respect of PC Williams’ conduct is as follows:
This case centres on an investigation that stemmed from another case that subsequently led to PC Williams being investigated for Misconduct in a Public Office. The essence of the case against PC Williams is that he shared messages and images, relating to a female who had been detained for criminal offences, to another officer without authority and not for any policing purpose. To be clear, the initial download of the detainee’s phone was lawfully authorised, however it is the downloading and sharing of the specific images and comments that were not bound by any lawful authority. These images contained intimate images of the detained female and the comments made by PC Williams were derogatory and of a misogynistic nature. They were unprofessional to say to least. The case relates back to October 2020 and following the allegation an IPOC directed investigation was launched.
Following the investigation a summons was issued for two offences: Misconduct in a public Office and Doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of justice. On 27th May 2025 PC Williams entered a guilty plea in real relation to Misconduct in a Public Office; with regards to the allegation of Perverting the Course of Justice, PC Williams entered a not guilty plea and is due to stand trial in June 2026. This Accelerated Hearing only relates to the former offence and for which a guilty plea has been entered.
The actions by the officer allege the following breach of professional standards:
- Discreditable Conduct in that officers should not act in a way that brings discredit to the service or act in a way that might result in the public losing trust and confidence in the policing profession.
On the above standard, from what I have heard today, reading through this case and indeed through the officer’s admission of guilty to the MIPO offence, I find that the standards of professional behaviour as outlined have been breached in relation to Discreditable Conduct.
I have also considered PC Willaims’ conduct against the Codes of Ethics, a Code which fundamentally underpins and expands on the Standards of Professional Behaviour set out in Schedule 2 of the Conduct Regulations. A Code of Ethics that have been revised and underpin the message that officers must do the right thing, in the right way for the right reasons. I as the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Constabulary have also set out the organisational values by which I expect all officers and staff to adhere to alongside the Constabulary’s Culture Statement.
Under Regulation 3(1), Gross Misconduct, means a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour which is so serious that dismissal would be justified.
I note that the officer has pleaded guilty to criminal summons of Misconduct in a Public Office.
The police service and the public expect that all its officers and staff to act in manner that does not bring discredit to the service or harm its reputation. They also expect that all officers act with the utmost professionalism.
The authority that is bestowed upon police officers must be respected by all, not least by the officer who holds the office of constable. The public expect that these standards are upheld and in addition, officers to show due respect and take their responsibilities on and off duty seriously. The conduct displayed falls way short of these standards.
I consider that PC Williams’ conduct is so serious that dismissal would be justified I therefore find that the conduct alleged amounts to gross misconduct.
Chief Constable Nick Dean
Cambridgeshire Constabulary
4th August 2025