Former officer who disclosed confidential information to criminals given suspended sentence

Adam Davies, 30, a former PC based at Guildford, was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday (June 12), after pleading guilty to four counts of misconduct in a public office.

Former PC Davies was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and attend an offender rehabilitation course for ten days and ordered to pay £782 in fines and costs.

The investigation into the offences, which are alleged to have been committed between March and November 2020, was carried out by Surrey Police’s Anti-Corruption Unit under the direction of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Following consultation with the IOPC, the case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised eight charges of misconduct in a public office. He subsequently pleaded to four of these, with the rest to remain on file.

The first count of misconduct in a public office related to an offence on 19 March 2020 improperly disclosed information regarding the release of a person from prison to one of his associates.

Davies also pleaded guilty to another offence on October 10, 2020, when he improperly made a video and sent it to a member of an organised crime group.

Three days later, he attempted to find out details concerning the arrest of an organised crime group member with a view to passing on information to his associates regarding the arrest.

The fourth offence was committed on November 6, 2020, when Davies failed to inform the Hone Gym it must close due to lockdown rules and making a false entry in a crime report.

In sentencing former PC Davies, the judge said that he accepted that what he had done was due to “immaturity and naivety” and not through “corruption and malice”.

Two allegations of gross misconduct against former PC Davies,  who resigned from the force in October 2021, were also proven following an accelerated hearing at Surrey Police Headquarters in December 2021.

The first allegation was that between October 20, 2020, and December 16, 2020, and while he was a serving officer, he received seven racist and otherwise deeply offensive images on his mobile phone which he failed to delete or challenge. Evidence also showed that one of the images was forwarded on.

The second allegation related to an incident on August 22, 2019, during which Davies took an indecent image of himself while on duty and in full uniform.

Both allegations were proven after being found to breach the Standards of Professional Behaviour for Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Equality and Diversity and Conduct (Discreditable). It was determined that his cumulative conduct would have led to him being dismissed if he had not already resigned. His name was also placed on the College of Policing Barred List.

Head of Surrey Police’s Professional Standards Department, Chief Superintendent Andy Rundle, said: “Criminal offences committed by our officers and staff simply cannot be condoned. Allegations of this nature against any of our officers or staff are always subject to a thorough investigation by our Anti-Corruption Unit to ensure that those who do not meet the high standards expected of them to in order to maintain public trust and confidence are dealt with swiftly and robustly.

“We recognise the impact this case will have both on the Surrey public and our own officers and staff, particularly with the current focus on standards. Thankfully, the majority of our officers and staff come to work each day to protect the public and do so with honesty and integrity.”

IOPC Director Emily Barry said: “Adam Davies’s actions were corrupt and criminal. We expect the police to clamp down on criminal activity, not assist criminals.

“He abused his position of power in a complete betrayal of the public’s trust and such behaviour has no place in policing.

“The outcome sends a clear message to any officer who conducts themselves in such a way – they face serious consequences and will be held to account.”