Former officer who used work phone to conceal relationship would have been sacked

A police officer who used his force-issued mobile phone to conceal a relationship with a work colleague would have been sacked if he hadn’t resigned before a gross misconduct hearing.

The hearing was held at Force HQ in Sherwood Lodge on Friday 27 February. It was open to both the press and the public.

The investigation covered former Detective Inspector Adam Walker’s behaviour at Nottinghamshire Police, and at West Yorkshire Police where he was previously employed.

The hearing heard that in 2023, during his time serving at West Yorkshire Police,  he had given a female colleague his police-issued mobile phone.

This was to conceal a relationship he pursued with the woman – referred to as Person A during the hearing.

Person A was also told to use an app that hid their messages.

DI Walker, who was in a senior position in respect to the officer, denied their relationship when questioned by management.

He then moved to work at Nottinghamshire Police as a Detective Inspector on 15 September 2023.

During this time, he travelled outside the force area during work hours to visit Person A when he was supposed to be on duty.

The misconduct hearing also heard how DI Walker asked another junior female colleague at Nottinghamshire Police to exchange personal numbers, before sending her ‘sexualised’ messages.

The woman, referred to in the hearing as Person B, was advised by DI Walker to delete their chat history and hide messages.

A thorough investigation was carried out by Nottinghamshire Police’s Professional Standard’s Directorate after the allegations came to light.

DI Walker resigned before the misconduct hearing was held.

The hearing – chaired by Derbyshire Constabulary Chief Constable Rachel Swann – found him guilty of gross misconduct.

It found that he breached the following Standards of Behaviour – integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, duties and responsibilities, and discreditable conduct.

If DI Walker was still serving, he would have been immediately dismissed.

He has now been placed on the barred list, which means he can no longer serve in any police force.

Temporary Chief Constable Steve Cooper said:

“The behaviour exhibited by this former officer is completely unacceptable and has no place in any police force.

“As soon as this behaviour was reported, a thorough investigation was carried out by Nottinghamshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, which led to today’s hearing.

“I would like to thank the officers who came forward and called out this officer’s appalling actions.

“The vast majority of police officers and staff maintain the highest possible professional standards which makes it even more important we address instances where individuals’ behaviour has fallen short of these expectations.”