Why was PC James Swales dismissed from Essex Police?

PC James Swales was dismissed for gross misconduct due to having an undisclosed relationship with a junior colleague and attempting unwanted relationships with others.

What happens to officers dismissed for gross misconduct?

Officers dismissed for gross misconduct, like James Swales, are placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing them from future policing roles.

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Essex Officer Fired for Workplace Misconduct

Q: What standards did James Swales breach at Essex Police?

James Swales breached standards of honesty, integrity, authority, respect, courtesy, equality, diversity, and discreditable conduct.

6 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Officer James Swales was dismissed for gross misconduct.
He pursued relationships with junior and other colleagues.
His actions breached standards of honesty, respect, and conduct.

Essex Officer Fired for Workplace Misconduct

An Essex police officer, James Swales, has been dismissed for gross misconduct after engaging in a relationship with a junior colleague and failing to disclose it. The misconduct panel heard that Swales also attempted to initiate unwanted relationships with other colleagues between 2020 and 2023.

His unacceptable behavior included pursuing intimate relationships and sending inappropriate messages. This conduct violated standards of honesty, integrity, authority, respect, courtesy, equality, diversity, and discreditable conduct. Assistant Chief Officer Fiona Henderson stressed that such actions would not be tolerated at Essex Police.

Swales was dismissed without notice and barred from future policing roles. The panel acknowledged the women who came forward, describing their evidence as credible. Given the severity of the misconduct and the absence of remorse, dismissal was deemed the only appropriate outcome.