Serving officer dismissed without notice following accelerated misconduct hearing - Newcastle

A British Transport Police (BTP) officer has been dismissed without notice, following an accelerated misconduct hearing.

PC James Hill did not attend the hearing, which was held in London on Thursday 17 September, where he was due to answer allegations that he breached the standards of professional behaviour.

The hearing was chaired by the Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi.

PC Hill answered allegations that he obtained the personal contact details of a woman during the course of his police duties, and used them to initiate and pursue inappropriate personal communications with her for the purpose of developing an improper emotional relationship.

It was alleged, and found proven, that:

• PC Hill attended an incident at a hotel in Newcastle in the early hours of the morning of Sunday 7 July 2024 involving a vulnerable woman who had potentially had her drink spiked.
• Whilst attending the incident PC Hill obtained her personal phone number. He subsequently sent several text messages to her from his work device.
• PC Hill went on to send the woman further messages including a photo of himself in full uniform from his personal device.
• Nearly a year later, on Sunday 6 July PC Hill sent her a further message from his personal phone, resulting in her blocking his number.

The Chief Constable found the allegations proven, and that the breaches amounted to gross misconduct and he was therefore dismissed from the Force without notice.

The full report is available here.

Chief Constable Lucy D'Orsi said: " PC Hill's conduct is wholly incompatible with the values of British Transport Police and the standards the public rightly expect from police officers. Women who come to the police for help must be able to trust that the officer who attends will use that contact only to protect and support them, never to pursue a personal or emotional relationship.

“PC Hill abused his position and the trust placed in him by a vulnerable woman whom he met through his policing duties. Dismissal is the only outcome that maintains the high standards of the police service, protects the public and preserves public confidence. It sends a clear message that this behaviour is wholly unacceptable."