Chief Constable fortnightly update to the Police and Crime Commissioner - 18 July 2025

Dear Police and Crime Commissioner Phillip Wilkinson,

The last few weeks have showcased the very best and the very worst of our organisation.

In the same fortnight that one of our police officers was recognised nationally for her bravery after tackling a man stabbing someone on our streets, we’ve held several gross misconduct hearings where front line teams have failed our communities.

Despite being in stark contrast to each another, both ends of this spectrum should be shared with our communities.

It is imperative we have a transparent and accountable approach to misconduct within policing – the public rightly expect and deserve to know what action we are taking when individuals have let them down.

Accordingly, I wanted to appraise our communities of misconduct matters which have concluded in the last fortnight.

Last week, a former Wiltshire Police officer was charged in connection with a stalking investigation.

Andrew Edwards, 32, from Chippenham, was charged with a stalking offence and Misconduct in a Public Office.

Immediately after we became aware of the allegations, he was suspended, and he later resigned from the organisation on May 6.

Next week, former Wiltshire Police officer Barry Geering will face an accelerated gross misconduct hearing after he was criminally convicted of engaging in sexual communication with a child last month. He resigned from the organisation last year.

In the last few weeks, the following misconduct cases have also concluded:

• Former PC Steven Proctor – gross misconduct was proven at a hearing on June 27 regarding the sending of grossly offensive WhatsApp messages. He would have been dismissed if still serving. Full details can be found here
• Former PC Chloe Stokes – gross misconduct was proven at a hearing on July 10 regarding her submitting a false document for the purposes of deceiving her line managers. She would have been dismissed if still serving. Full details can be found here
• Former PC Callum Denley – gross misconduct was proven at a hearing on Monday (14/07) after he was criminally convicted of making indecent images of children. He would have been dismissed if still serving. Full details can be found here

In polar opposite, last week a member of our front line teams was recognised nationally for putting herself in harm's way to protect the public.

PC Nicola Crabbe won the South West category at the National Bravery Awards for her heroic actions in two separate incidents last summer.

PC Crabbe, who is part of the Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team, was nominated after she jumped into the Kennet and Avon canal to try to save the life of a person who had fallen in.

Without hesitation, PC Crabbe removed her operational kit and jumped into the canal.  She pulled the woman out of the canal and along with PCSO Kelly Watts performed life-saving actions but, sadly, the woman died later in hospital.

Then, on June 29, PC Crabbe and PCSO Watts, were the first to arrive at the scene of a stabbing in Devizes town centre.

Without concern for her safety, PC Crabbe separated the two men involved and detained the attacker, who was armed with a knife. He was later convicted of attempted murder. 

The victim, who had been stabbed multiple times, was airlifted to the hospital and thankfully made a full recovery.

In both these life-threatening incidents, PC Crabbe’s actions exemplified the true spirit of policing – she acted with remarkable courage and professionalism. These incidents reflect not only her personal bravery but also the unwavering commitment by her and PCSO Watts to ensuring the safety of others.

Their actions represent the professionalism of the vast majority of the officers, police staff and volunteers who are committed to Keeping Wiltshire Safe.    

Of course, we could not do this without the support of our communities and those brave people that come forward to raise concerns and support criminal investigations. 

I would like to take the opportunity to commend Swindon residents for their support with a case after a sex offender was jailed for multiple breaches of a prevention order. Despite being aware of the conditions imposed, the registered sex offender repeatedly broke them. If it was not for witnesses coming forward this dangerous offender might not have been given a custodial sentence.

This week also saw the conviction of a man guilty of serious sexual offences against a child that occurred over 40 years ago. This is a reminder that perpetrators can still be convicted years after any abuse. I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the victim in this case. 

My officers are here to assist throughout the entire process, regardless of when the crime occurred. This outcome shows that it's never too late to come forward, although we do understand this can be extremely difficult, we are here to listen and support our residents. They can find out how to report and where to get support on our website: How to report rape, sexual assault or other sexual offences | Wiltshire Police 

I recognise that every professional standards investigation where an officer or member of staff is found to have not upheld the behaviours that I and our communities expect from them is a betrayal of trust. 

I don’t take for granted the support we receive from our communities everyday across the county, and I’d like to thank them once again. 

Kindest regards,

CC Roper