Arrested PC urged officers to switch off cameras

A police constable has received a four-year final written warning after he asked officers to turn off body-worn cameras while being arrested in Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire Police said a misconduct hearing was told PC Nicholas Woodcock allegedly used force on a woman he knew while off duty in March 2024.

It was reported he restricted her movements by holding her on at least three occasions during an argument.

Police said they were contacted and officers arrested PC Woodcock on suspicion of common assault. He denied the alleged offence and the woman was not supportive of a prosecution, so no further action was taken after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

The force said the hearing was told PC Woodcock repeatedly asked his colleagues to turn their body-worn cameras off while they arrested him.

When officers refused, saying they could not treat him differently to anyone else, PC Woodcock continued to put pressure on his colleagues with his actions, police added.

The matter was referred to Nottinghamshire Police's Professional Standards Directorate, who after an investigation found he had breached several standards of professional behaviour.

A misconduct hearing took place on Wednesday and Thursday to determine whether PC Woodcock's actions amounted to gross misconduct.

The force said the officer apologised for his behaviour – both to the woman and his colleagues – at the hearing, adding he was embarrassed by how he had conducted himself.

Following the hearing, Assistant Chief Constable Suk Verma said: "By his own admission, this officer's behaviour towards a woman he knows was unacceptable and he also showed a lack of respect and courtesy towards the attending officers.

"As a police officer, he has breached the standards of professional behaviour by attempting to influence them and asking them to turn off their body worn cameras.

"The panel has taken into account all factors presented such as the officer's previous good service, acknowledgment of wrongdoing and genuine remorse to all those involved.

"The actions of this officer fell below the very high standards we expect and I would like to thank the members of the public for the valuable evidence they provided in this case."

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