“Racist and misogynistic behaviour or language has absolutely no place in policing, whether in the workplace or outside of it,” said Cambridgeshire Chief Constable Simon Megicks, who chaired the hearing into the conduct of PC Andrew Goodwin.
“The hearing, which was held at Lysander House, in Tempsford, on Tuesday (4 November), concluded that Goodwin would have been dismissed if he was still a serving officer,” the force confirmed.
The hearing found that Goodwin, based at Parkside Police Station, Cambridge, breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to “Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Equality and Diversity, [and] Discreditable Conduct.”
“It is alleged that on the 18th of December 2024 PC Goodwin has used racial and sexually offensive language towards colleagues, whilst off duty, during a social outing with your team in London,” the misconduct report stated. “He is reported to have used the words ‘BLACK C**T’ when referring to a black Muslim officer, causing offence and upset.”
He “is reported to have made direct comments to a female officer, regarding her appearance, specifically saying ‘YOUR BOOBS AND BUM LOOK REALLY GOOD IN WORK UNIFORM AND THAT YOU LOOK REALLY FIT,’ causing offence and upset,” the report added.
The Professional Standards of Behaviour guidance highlighted that police officers must act with “self-control and tolerance, treating members of the public and colleagues with respect and courtesy” and that “police officers behave in a manner, whether on or off duty, which does not bring discredit on the police service or undermine public confidence in policing.”
“I find that the facts found proved are a breach of the standard of professional behaviour in that PC Goodwin acted with discreditable conduct, failing to act with authority respect and courtesy and discriminating with regards to equality and diversity,” Chief Constable Megicks stated in his decision.
He further explained the reasoning behind the dismissal: “The language ‘black c**t’ was directed towards a black officer which made him feel uncomfortable in the presence of other colleagues… whilst it occurred when he was ‘off duty’ in a social setting, it was used in a public environment and likely to be overheard by members of the public.”
Regarding the comments to the female officer, the hearing concluded that “the language directed towards the female PC was inappropriate and in my view driven by a misogynistic and sexist views… it is clear from the female PC’s statement that she felt undermined and vulnerable. I reiterate that she was 19 at the time of the incident and in a group of people and in a public setting.”
“The officer was holding a position of trust and greater experience… Conduct that is intentional, deliberate will generally be more culpable,” the Chief Constable noted. “Misconduct involving sexual impropriety or intimidation is serious and can significantly undermine public trust in the profession.”
Taking into account mitigation, Megicks acknowledged Goodwin’s service: “He does express genuine remorse today and I take that and his resignation into consideration as well as his history of service to the community as both Police Community Support Officer and Police Officer over the last 17 years.”
Nevertheless, the hearing concluded: “Under regulation 2(1) gross misconduct means breach of the standards of Professional Behaviour that is so serious as to justify dismissal. I have found that proven. The outcome shall be immediate dismissal without notice.”
“We remain committed to holding our officers to the highest standards and will take decisive action where those standards are breached,” Chief Constable Megicks emphasized.
Full details of the hearing can be found in the Cambridgeshire Constabulary report: Accelerated Misconduct Hearing Finding and Outcome – PC 1714 Andrew Goodwin.
