A former Cheshire Police officer who sent and received messages about the recreational use of nitrous oxide would have been dismissed had he not resigned, a misconduct hearing has found.
Former constable William Matthews was working in the firearms department of Cheshire Police when he "undertook online activity which indicated familiarity and association to controlled drug use and recreational use of Nitrous Oxide gas", according to police documents.
The allegations were found proven during the proceedings, with the conclusion published on the force's website.
Gross misconduct ruling
Chief Constable Mark Roberts ruled former PC Matthews' conduct was "undoubtedly gross misconduct".
In the published judgement, Chief Constable Roberts said: "He received and sent messages between 1st May and 14th November 2025 that indicated familiarity with, and association to, controlled drug use and recreational use of Nitrous Oxide gas."
He said the former constable was working in the firearms department at Cheshire Constabulary during that period.
No remorse shown
"I have no doubt that if the messages in question were seen by members of the public either individually or collectively it would seriously undermine trust and confidence in policing," he said.
"He has shown no remorse for his actions, nor has he provided a credible explanation. This conduct will not be tolerated within Cheshire Constabulary."
He added: "The only appropriate disciplinary outcome in this case is dismissal without notice, had the former officer not previously resigned. A lesser sanction than dismissal would not serve to uphold the high standards and deter such conduct in the future."
Barred from policing
The former officer resigned on August 3, ahead of the hearing.
His name will be added to the College of Policing's Barred List, preventing him from working in the profession ever again.
The content of the messages was not published and no further details were revealed.
