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GMP Detective Found Guilty of Gross Misconduct Over Steroid Use and Barred From Policing

Force leaders said illicit steroid use by a senior officer undermines public confidence by raising concerns about contacts with criminal suppliers.

Overview

  • Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson chaired the January 9 misconduct hearing and ruled gross misconduct after evidence of anabolic steroid use.
  • James Faulkner resigned before the hearing, and the chief said he would have been dismissed without notice had he remained in post.
  • His name will be placed on the College of Policing's Barred List, which prevents future employment in policing roles.
  • A with-cause drugs test in 2025 followed a colleague's Microsoft Teams report and returned a positive urine result for anabolic steroids.
  • Faulkner accepted his conduct amounted to gross misconduct in a written statement and did not attend the hearing, as GMP reaffirmed its commitment to strict professional standards.