PC Stephen Cotgreave outcome summary

Misconduct hearing outcome 

Officer concerned: PC Stephen Cotgreave

Dates of hearing: 18 November 2024

Summary

Police Constable Stephen Cotgreave, based within Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP), answered allegations that his conduct amounted to breaches of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, in respect of:

• Honesty and Integrity

It was alleged that on 6 December 2022, PC Cotgreave was on foot patrol alone within the grounds of Buckingham Palace when he dropped the magazine from his Police issue firearm. PC Cotgreave picked up and replaced the magazine. At the end of his shift, PC Cotgreave returned the firearm to the armoury where it was found that one round of ammunition was missing. When asked if anything had happened which could explain the missing round, PC Cotgreave said that he could provide no explanation and denied dropping the magazine. CCTV subsequently showed how the round was lost.

It was alleged that in doing so PC Cotgreave had breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of Honesty and Integrity. It was further alleged that this conduct, if proven, would amount to gross misconduct in that it was so serious as to justify dismissal.

The hearing took place on Monday 18 November 2024 and took one day.

The hearing was held in public at the misconduct hearing suite a Empress State Building, Lillie Road, London SW6 1TR.

The finding of the hearing was that the matter was proven at the level of gross misconduct. The outcome was that the officer was dismissed without notice.

Decision

PC Stephen Cotgreave was dismissed without notice.