Four North Wales Police officers barred within 12 months

The comments, from North Wales Police Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman KPM, come after the College of Policing confirmed today that 757 police officers across England and Wales have been barred from policing over the course of a year (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026).

Of those, four North Wales Police officers have been removed and barred from ever serving again.

The officers from across England and Wales were added to the barred list following breaches of professional standards.

The list includes officers who retire or resign while under investigation, helping to ensure accountability and greater transparency in the way misconduct is dealt with.

Police constables were the most common rank added to the list, accounting for 641 officers.

But senior ranks were not exempt, with five superintendents and four chief superintendents also barred from ever working for a force again.

One example from north Wales in recent months was 47-year-old Emma Gardner, of Abergele Road in Colwyn Bay, who held the rank of detective inspector at the force, but resigned after she was found guilty of computer misuse in July, and was barred from policing altogether in August.

Some of the police sackings across England and Wales had more than one recorded reason, with the most frequently cited including:

• 142 instances of dishonesty
• 110 instances of discriminatory behaviour
• 101 instances of unlawful access or disclosure of information
• 87 instances of sexual offences or misconduct
• 72 instances involving powers, policies or procedures

As agreed with the Information Commissioner's Office, the public barred list is searchable. Details held on the public list include the name and force of the officer, their rank and number and the date and reason for dismissal.

Director of Operational Standards at the College of Policing, ACC Arman Mathieson, said: "Policing is built on trust, and these figures show we will not hesitate to act when that trust is broken.

"757 officers have been removed and barred from ever serving again, including those who retired or resigned while under investigation.

"This represents 0.5% of all serving officers, with the vast majority of officers serving with courage, professionalism and integrity.

"We all deserve a service that roots out those who fall short. Where standards are breached, we will find out, and we will act."

“Since the Barred List was introduced in December 2017, 3,591 regular officers have been added in total, with the pace of dismissals accelerating markedly: 757 officers were barred last year alone, more than in any single year since the list began, and over twice the annual average of the preceding four years.”

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman KPM said: “North Wales Police officers are rightly held to the highest standards of honesty and integrity and where those standards are not met, we will take robust action.

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman KPM (Image: Staff)

“Policing is built on trust, and the public must have confidence that officers always carry out their duties with professionalism.

“Within the last year, four North Wales Police officers have been removed and barred from ever serving again, including those who resigned while under investigation.

"This number represents 0.5% of our serving officers, with the majority serving with courage, professionalism and integrity.

“Any conduct falling below our standards is taken extremely seriously.”