Dozens of police officers across Wales have been dismissed or forced to resign for gross misconduct over the past two years, with cases ranging from domestic violence to sexual assault. The details emerged following Freedom of Information requests submitted to all four Welsh police forces.
Among the most serious cases is PC Huw Orphan of Gwent Police, who was jailed for two and a half years after kicking his wife down a flight of stairs, fracturing her spine. Another officer, PC Nathan Collings, was also jailed for two and a half years for stalking and controlling behaviour, using a tracking app and pet cam to spy on his partner.
In North Wales, PC Matthew Roberts showed bodycam footage of a dead man to his girlfriend while off duty, and PCs Terrence Flanagan and Kenneth Iwan Williams made 'cruel, shocking and offensive' misogynistic comments about a domestic abuse victim, caught because a bodycam was left on. Both resigned before they could be sacked.
Other cases include PC Jack Bannister, who sexually assaulted a colleague on a night out, and PC Benjamin French, who did the same at a party. PC Joseph Cook punched a man he saw leaving a club with his ex-partner. Both were found to have committed gross misconduct and resigned.
Some officers sought anonymity orders, but WalesOnline successfully challenged several of these, leading to the release of names. However, some continue to be withheld. The forces initially cited data protection concerns before overturning decisions.
