Notification of outcome of misconduct hearing

On 27^th March 2023 a misconduct hearing was convened to deal with allegations against Former PC Julian John which the Appropriate Authority (AA) assessed as amounting to gross misconduct. 

The hearing was held in accordance with the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012 (PCR 2012).

The hearing was held at the Waterton Technology Centre, Bridgend.

The hearing Panel consisted of a Legally Qualified Chair (LQC), Mr Callum Cowx, a Police Panel Member (PPM) Superintendent (Supt) Marc Attwell of South Wales Police (SWP), and an Independent Panel Member (IPM), Mr Malcolm Gay.

The AA was represented by Mr Barney Branston of counsel. 

The officer was represented by PC Leigh Godfrey of the Police Federation.

Former PC John attended the first day of the hearing only and gave evidence.

Prior to the final hearing, it was agreed between the parties that no witnesses were required to give evidence.

The hearing was concluded on 29^th March 2023.

Allegations, findings and outcome:

Allegations 1 and 2 were in relation to PC John submitting details of breathalyser procedures he had conducted which were proved to be materially false. Allegation 2 was found to have amounted to gross misconduct, the other not proven.

Allegation 3 was that he had formed a friendship/relationship with a vulnerable female which was deemed inappropriate. The conduct described in this allegation, and found proved, was so serious that dismissal might be justified and was therefore gross misconduct.

Allegation 4 was that the former officer accessed the police computer system to carry out checks on the female and other of her family members. This was not proven.

The outcome decided by the panel was that former PC John would have been ‘Dismissed without notice if he was still a serving officer’.