Essex Officer Shared Deceased Man’s Photo with Dating Colleague
James Hicks resigned from Essex Police before a misconduct panel could dismiss him without notice. The force found his behaviour constituted gross misconduct.
Allegations and findings
A disciplinary hearing chaired by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington upheld multiple breaches. The panel found failures in duties and responsibilities and acts of discreditable conduct.
Hicks, a temporary sergeant with nine years of service, admitted the conduct in an interview and apologised. He did not attend the formal hearing.
Key incidents and timeline
The force report names at least four meetings between Hicks and a former member of police staff. Those meetings occurred while Hicks was on duty and often took place outside his policing area.
Between June and August 2024, he met the colleague on three occasions. Each meeting lasted between about 30 minutes and just over an hour, often late at night or in the early hours.
On 12 November 2023, while on duty and parked at the Tesco car park in Great Notley, Hicks met the same colleague between 4.09am and 4.29am. A 999 call reporting a vehicle break-in came in during that period. Hicks viewed the incident log at 4.14am but did not call in or attend, despite being roughly 0.2 miles (321m) away.
Earlier, on 7 June 2023, Hicks sent a photograph of a deceased man over Microsoft Teams to the colleague. Force records indicate heavy private messaging on Teams, about 42 messages per shift, which hampered work time.
The case was widely described in the press under search lines such as Essex Officer Shared Deceased Man’s Photo with Dating Colleague.
Consequences and the force response
Hicks will be placed on the police Barred List, preventing future service. Had he remained serving, the panel said dismissal would have been the only option.
Chief Constable Harrington emphasised that supervisors must lead by example and remain available to the public. He also warned that force systems must be used for policing duties, not private matters.
Context
Hicks served in the Uttlesford area and acted as a temporary sergeant at a station with a single supervisor. The panel noted his leadership role increased the expectations placed on him.
Filmogaz.com will continue to follow any further developments related to the disciplinary outcome and its implications for force standards.
