Former PC Liam Williams, previously stationed in south-west London, has been found guilty of gross misconduct following inappropriate behaviour towards female colleagues and members of the public. The conclusion of his gross misconduct hearing on Tuesday, April 16, resulted in the determination that, had he still been in service, he would have faced dismissal.

The investigation revealed that PC Williams breached several Standards of Professional Behavior, including Discreditable Conduct, Equality and Diversity, and Authority, Respect, and Courtesy. Between June and October 2021, he made a series of inappropriate remarks to female colleagues and engaged in physical misconduct by wrapping his arms around one colleague and lifting her from her seat without her consent.

Furthermore, it was found that Williams acted inappropriately towards the public by shouting with the intent to shock or frighten them, thereby undermining the trust and respect expected of a police officer.

Williams chose to resign from the Metropolitan Police on March 18, 2024, prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings. Consequently, he will be added to the Barred List maintained by the College of Policing, effectively prohibiting him from future employment within the police force, local policing bodies, or associated oversight agencies.

Chief Superintendent Steve Lemon, responsible for policing in the southwest Basic Command Unit, which covers Richmond, Wandsworth, Merton, and Kingston, emphasized the Met’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism. Lemon reiterated the importance of maintaining these standards to foster trust and confidence within the community, underscoring that Williams’ behaviour fell well short of the expected standard and would have resulted in dismissal had he remained in service.

The case serves as a reminder of the Met’s zero-tolerance approach towards misconduct and its dedication to ensuring the integrity and credibility of its officers. As the force continues to prioritize accountability and transparency, incidents of this nature are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken to uphold public trust in policing.