Officer dismissed following Accelerated Misconduct Hearing

A North Yorkshire Police officer has been dismissed following an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing on 1 August 2024.

Former police constable James Spencer, (collar number 1593), previously based in York, was alleged to have breached the standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Discreditable Conduct and Authority Respect and Courtesy when he sent an unsolicited photograph of his penis to another officer while he was off duty.

The officer admitted the breach and that his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

Chief Constable Tim Forber dismissed Mr Spencer with immediate effect and he will now be placed on the College of Policing’s police barred list.

CC Forber said: “North Yorkshire Police treats violence against women and girls and sexual impropriety by police officers with the utmost seriousness. We are determined to tackle these issues, and the actions of PC Spencer significantly undermine our ability to do so, and public trust and confidence in policing generally. It is completely contrary to the standards that I expect from officers in this force.”

You can read more about the outcome on the force website

PC Spencer was suspended from duty during the investigation.

Reporting police misconduct

If you are concerned about the behaviour of any police officer, member of police staff or police volunteer:

You can complain direct to us using the methods below

Or to the Independent Office for Police Conduct A guide to the complaints process | Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)

Or via the Crimestoppers Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service  The Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)

To complain direct to us you can either

• use our online complaints form
• write to us at:
  Complaints and Recognition Team
  Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner
  Harrogate Police Station
  Beckwith Head Rd
  Harrogate
  HG3 1FR
• call 101(If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101)
• visit your local police station 

Always call 999 in an emergency or 101 to report a crime that is not happening now.