Owen Davies: Police officer sacked for sending photos of detainees and 'derogotory comments' to colleagues

Police Constable Owen Davies was dismissed without notice after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into operational images being shared without any policing purpose.

During the course of the investigation, the IOPC found PC Davies shared images of people who had been detained in a police cell, and in other settings such as a hospital, with colleagues. The WhatsApp exchanges with officers in the group also showed he made offensive comments about those in the pictures.

PC Davies’ mobile phone was examined by the IOPC, and detailed analytical work was carried out in order to identify any operational policing images or images of concern.

Analysis of PC Davies’s mobile also revealed he had shared personal details about someone who was convicted of a crime; details of a hate crime report; and an image, taken from body-worn video footage, of an officer with an unknown woman.

Summarising the findings, a spokesperson for the IOPC said: “Our investigation discovered that PC Owen Davies shared images of people in police custody using his personal mobile phone. He sent them, along with inappropriate and derogatory comments about the individuals, via WhatsApp to current and former colleagues.”

“Following a referral from South Yorkshire Police, we began an independent investigation in November 2020 which concluded in February 2022. We found the officer may have breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of his confidentiality, integrity, and conduct,” the watchdog spokesman added.

The force agreed he had a case to answer for gross misconduct and arranged disciplinary proceedings. An independently chaired panel following a three-day hearing, which finished today (Friday, June 2), found gross misconduct proven against PC Davies.

The IOPC spokesperson said PD Davies had completed training by the force on storing and sharing operational policing material, and therefore should have been ‘aware of what was expected of him as an officer’.

Speaking after PC Davies’ dismissal, IOPC Regional Director Emily Barry said: “PC Davies showed appalling judgement and a complete disregard of the policy and procedures in relation to how he shared confidential policing material. It was entirely inappropriate and risked seriously undermining public confidence in the police.

“PC Davies’ decisions to disclose images of suspects connected to serious criminal offences not only breached the applicable policies and procedures but could have undermined ongoing criminal investigations.

“We welcome the panel’s decision, which serves as a reminder that this behaviour is not treated lightly and can result in serious consequences for any officers involved.”