Cambridgeshire Constabulary officer dismissed without notice after he lied under oath during the inquest of William Stilwell

23 Mar 2020 04:30 PM

A Cambridgeshire Constabulary officer has been dismissed without notice after an independent disciplinary panel found the case for gross misconduct was proven against him for lying under oath during an inquest in 2017. 

An independent panel at a misconduct hearing arranged by Cambridgeshire Constabulary concluded on Friday (20 March) that PC Julian Crimes breached the standards of professional behaviour for honesty and integrity in connection with evidence he gave during William Stilwell’s inquest.

The panel also concluded that PC Crimes breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to duties and responsibilities in connection with his actions when William went missing in November 2015.  

The hearing was held following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation which began in July 2018 after a complaint was received from William’s parents.

Our investigation concluded in June 2019 when we shared our report and findings with Cambridgeshire Constabulary. The force agreed with us that the officer had a case to answer for gross misconduct and proceeded with the disciplinary hearing.

IOPC Regional Director, Sarah Green, yesterday said:

“Public confidence in the police is undermined if officers lie or provide dishonest accounts about their actions.

“PC Crimes attempted to cover up his inaction on the evening William was reported missing by providing a dishonest account under oath during the Coronial process.

“Were it not for the complainants coming forward and the independent investigation that followed, this officer’s conduct may never have come to light.

“PC Crimes showed a lack of professionalism, both in 2015 and again in 2017, and the panel has recognised this in its judgement.

“I would like to extend my condolences to Mr and Mrs Stilwell. Our independent investigation was thorough and robust in examining the actions of Cambridgeshire Constabulary on the evening William was reported missing and the actions of an officer during William’s inquest. My hope is that William’s parents are reassured by our report and its findings.”