What was PC Michael Watson found guilty of?

PC Michael Watson was found guilty of gross misconduct for accessing a crime report without a legitimate policing purpose.

Why did PC Watson access the crime report?

He accessed the report, which contained explicit material, after a woman complained about a fake social media account. He claimed a policing purpose but was found to have no right to access it.

What consequence did PC Michael Watson face?

PC Watson received a two-year final written warning for gross misconduct.

Home / Crime and Justice / Officer Guilty of Misconduct Over Data Access

Officer Guilty of Misconduct Over Data Access

9 Dec, 2025

•

Summary

PC Michael Watson accessed a crime report without policing purpose.
He viewed explicit images and videos from a victim's complaint.
The officer received a two-year final written warning for gross misconduct.

Officer Guilty of Misconduct Over Data Access

A Nottinghamshire Police officer, PC Michael Watson, has been found guilty of gross misconduct after illegally accessing a crime report. The officer viewed explicit images and videos on 2 September 2024, which were part of a complaint filed by a woman regarding a fake social media account.

Despite having no involvement in the case, PC Watson accessed the sensitive file. He had previously viewed a log of the incident on 27 August but denied breaching standards, claiming a legitimate policing purpose. He admitted misconduct for viewing the material on 2 September.

Following a hearing, PC Watson received a two-year final written warning. Assistant Chief Constable Suk Verma stated that the public expects personal data to be strictly confidential and only accessed for genuine policing reasons, emphasizing that Watson's actions fell below these high standards.