Overview

• A disciplinary panel at Avon & Somerset Police headquarters found on June 9 that PC Liam Reakes committed gross misconduct by simulating work activity.
• Reakes admitted holding down the ‘z’ key for a total of 103 hours between June and September 2024 to create false keystroke logs.
• He resigned in May 2025 before the hearing concluded and has been added to the national barred list, preventing any return to law enforcement.
• An internal keystroke audit flagged his activity as significantly higher than peers, triggering the misconduct investigation.
• Senior officials stressed the case underscores the need for earlier performance reviews and robust wellbeing support to maintain public trust.