A probationer police officer resigned in disgrace just one day before a disciplinary hearing found them guilty of gross misconduct. The former officer, who was granted anonymity by Greater Manchester Police, had only joined the force in November 2025 but handed in their resignation on November 8, 2026, a mere 24 hours before his case was heard.
Positive drugs test at Wigan station
Following a 'with cause' drugs test at Wigan police station on Friday July 3 this year, the officer returned a positive result for cannabis in their urine, according to the published disciplinary ruling. Almost immediately after providing their sample, the officer reportedly told a superior: "That will come back as cannabis."
The officer did not appear at the hearing nor provide any written defence, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Panel finds allegations proven
The chair of the disciplinary panel, Assistant Chief Officer Catherine Hankinson, concluded the allegations were 'proven' and that 'they are so serious that they do indeed amount to gross misconduct'.
ACO Hankinson said: "I remind myself that, had the former officer remained a serving officer and gross misconduct been found proven, the statutory framework provides that dismissal without notice is the presumed outcome, unless any exceptional circumstances warrant a deviation from said presumption.
"In the circumstances, I am not satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances capable of displacing that presumption and therefore, had this former officer not resigned, they would have been dismissed without notice."
Anonymity and barred list
Explaining why the officer was allowed anonymity, ACO Hankinson said: "Prior to the hearing today, I received an application for the hearing to proceed in private and, if that was not allowed, to award anonymity to the former officer.
"After careful consideration and with regards to the guidance and case law in this area, I directed that the hearing would go ahead in public, but that the officer would be granted anonymity for the purpose of publicity and reporting."
The former officer's name nor sex was mentioned in the published ruling. The former officer has been added to the College of Policing's 'barred list' which means they cannot return to any role in policing.
