PC Alex Potts outcome summary

As Assistant Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police and Chair of this hearing, I am discharging my obligation to consider the evidence available to me to provide for a fair hearing, maintain the confidence of the public and set out clearly the expectations I have of the officers and staff in Staffordshire Police.

1. These proceedings are not designed to punish officers, and I am very focussed on the confidence in standing of Staffordshire Police. This is about setting standards for those of us in positions of trust to ensure they are adhered to.

2. PC Potts in his Regulation 54 response has accepted the allegation before him and accepted that allegation amounts to Misconduct, PC Potts denies the allegation amounts to Gross Misconduct.

3. In discharging my obligations to maintain public confidence, uphold high standards, deter future misconducts and protect the public, I have considered the representations made by the Appropriate Authority and his legal representative. I have further considered the representations of PC Potts and his legal representative.

4. The allegations PC Potts faced are summarised as follows;

‘The allegations faced by PC Potts arise out of his actions on 11th August 2025 when he discovered what appeared to be a firearm during a search of a residential property. It is the AA’s case that he breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour (Duties and Responsibilities and Discreditable Conduct) due to the following actions:

• Telling a colleague that he had discovered a ‘fake firearm’ (“the Firearm”) despite not holding the requisite qualifications to make that determination;
• Failing to request Authorised Firearms Officer assistance;
• Pulling the trigger of the Firearm twice; Pulling the trigger on the second occasion whilst looking in the direction of your colleague, recklessly discharging a blank round
• Breaching his training and Force policy on firearms and evidence handling.’

5. Finding – Not Gross Misconduct – Referred to the Appropriate Authority for Misconduct proceedings.

Having listened to the facts presented and information from counsel for the Appropriate Authority and PC Potts, as well as PC Potts himself, I have come to the determination that this case be referred back to the Appropriate Authority, as opposed to Gross Misconduct.

There is no doubt that PC Potts’ actions on the 11th of August were both stupid and reckless and fell below professional standards expected of officers.

However in coming to this determination, I have also considered the following:

• This was an isolated incident, PC Potts’ record is otherwise unblemished.
• There was no pre-meditation or planning involved.
• There was no intent in terms of his actions.
• Having reviewed the Body Worn Video it was clear that PC Potts believed the firearm to be fake, albeit he admits he was not capable of determining this.
• PC Potts admitted his actions at a very early stage and his initial account has remained consistent, he has not tried to hide facts or be dishonest in any way.

I recognise the impact of PC Potts’ actions upon his colleague and the reputation of policing, however with all facts considered I do not feel that this one off, incredibly stupid and reckless act, amount to conduct that is so serious as to justify dismissal.

Therefore, I return this case to the Appropriate Authority to be considered at a misconduct meeting.