Police officer dismissed over cocaine use

Police seized Humphries' phone during a search at his property

A police officer has been dismissed after being found to be in possession of cocaine and supplying a member of the public with police information.

Two bags containing the Class A drug were found in former Gloucestershire PC Ben Humphries' bedside cabinet during an authorised police search in September 2022.

His phone was seized, revealing messages detailing his cocaine use and sharing information about a man's arrest with his dealer.

Chief constable Rod Hansen found Humphries' conduct amounted to gross misconduct and justified dismissal at a hearing last month.

Humphries accepted a conditional caution on 11 September 2023 for having a trace amount of cocaine in his possession on 12 September 2022.

A search of his bedroom was authorised under section 32 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, with officers attending Humphries' address to arrest him on suspicion of corrupt or improper exercise of police powers.

His mobile phone was seized, with the majority of allegations against him stemming from the download.

Messages written by Humphries' regarding his cocaine use began in November 2019.

'Nose beers'

In January 2021, Humphries described his relationship with cocaine as "a long term thing I wanna change".

He referred to having a big issue with "coke", understood by a drug expert at Gloucestershire Constabulary to relate to cocaine, and doing "nose beers" in August 2022.

Nine days before being found to possess cocaine, Humphries messaged a contact with information regarding a man's arrest, before asking the contact to supply him with "a bag".

Four allegations made against Humphries as part of the case were proved.

These included providing police information for non-policing purposes, and possessing and consuming cocaine on various occasions over a lengthy period of time.

It was also proved that Humphries had been in possession of cocaine on 12 September 2022, and committing a crime by accepting a conditional caution for possession of cocaine.

Chief Constable Hansen found Humphries in breach of three standards of professional behaviour: honesty and integrity, discreditable conduct, and confidentiality.

'Gross misconduct'

After taking note of Home Office Guidance, Chief Constable Hansen found the behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

He said: "Police officers are expected to work towards eliminating the trade of illicit drugs.

"By obtaining cocaine over a period of years, PC Humphries furthered the trade of illicit drugs rather than eliminating it."

He added Humphries "knowingly consumed" a Class A drug despite being "well aware through his role" that it was " a serious matter and criminal offence".

"Taking these matters together, my decision is that the officer’s breaches of the standards of professional behaviour are so serious as to justify dismissal," he said.

"Accordingly, I find that the conduct of former PC Humphries amounts to gross misconduct."