PC that took 'indecent' image in uniform keeps job

A police officer who shared an explicit image of himself while in uniform can keep his job, a misconduct panel has ruled.

PC Wooldridge faced the hearing after Kent Police received the image from an anonymous source in 2022.

A search of the officer's phone found he had also shared confidential police information with friends and his wife, according to the panel's report.

PC Wooldridge did not dispute the allegations and has been given a final written warning, the panel said.

Confidential images PC Wooldridge shared included a document that "he marked 'top secret'" when he sent it to his wife, according to the report.

Panel members ruled that the officer showed a repeated "failure to comply with basic rules about confidentiality".

His misconduct, "especially with regard to the indecent photograph, was exceptionally stupid" but not malicious, they added.

PC Wooldridge's "impressive set of character references" and several commendations "for his bravery and dedication to duty" were considered mitigating factors.

He has "voluntarily removed himself from armed service" but despite the misconduct proceedings "his managers clearly still have trust in him" and he remains entrusted with confidential information, according to the report.

Panel members said: "He will have to live with the embarrassment that the case has brought upon himself and the panel accepted that he recognised and understood this."

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