Former PC James McClements

THE CHIEF CONSTABLE OF DORSET POLICE

OUTCOME NOTICE FOR ACCELERATED MISCONDUCT HEARING
PURSUANT TO REGULATION 62 OF THE POLICE (CONDUCT) REGULATIONS 2020

Name of officer: Former PC James McClements

Date of hearing: 19th May 2026

Chief Constable Amanda Pearson

People in attendance
Barrister Cecily White - Legal Advisor for the Appropriate Authority
Andrew Robertson – Police Federation representative for the officer
Abigail Hawker – Investigating Officer
Insp Chrissie Plumley – Staff Officer

Outcome of hearing
Gross misconduct

Rationale for outcome: On 30 November 2023 former PC James McClements attended the address of a victim in the course of his duties following a call made by the victim, to report having suffered an incident of domestic abuse.

On that occasion he provided his personal telephone number to the victim. He then pursued an inappropriate, intimate and sexual relationship with that victim of domestic abuse between 30 November 2023 and 6 November 2024.

Inappropriate contact was made with the victim through his personal mobile and through other communications, including Whatsapp.

Evidence has been produced that he met on several occasions over this period to pursue an intimate and sexual relationship between December 2023 and July 2024.

He continued to contact the victim in a personal capacity until 6 November 2024.

Former PC McClements was arrested on 15 November 2024 and has subsequently been charged in connection with the facts of this case with the offence of Misconduct in a Public Office.

On 10 April 2026 he pleaded guilty to the charge of Misconduct in a Public Office in connection with the facts of this case.

Sanction: Where the panel finds that the conduct amounted to gross misconduct, it can only consider two outcomes:

disciplinary action or
no disciplinary action

Rationale for sanction:
The behaviour of former PC McClements was targeted and intentional, where he deliberately gave a vulnerable victim of domestic abuse his personal mobile number, in order to pursue a sexual relationship with them.

Former PC McClements would have known that this was wrong at the time of doing so.

At the relevant time former PC McClements would have been deemed to have been in a position of responsibility. They were there to support and safeguard a vulnerable victim at a difficult point in their life, where instead they used their professional position to initiate or pursue a sexual relationship.

Former PC McClements is solely responsible for his actions and behaviour, I have not read, heard or seen any evidence to the contrary.

Former Pc McClements has pleaded guilty to the charge of Misconduct in a Public Office at Bristol Crown Court on the 10.04.26 and it is unacceptable for police officers, who are responsible for enforcing the law, to break the law themselves

Whilst former PC McClements did not cause any physical harm, his conduct had the potential to inflict significant psychological, emotional and procedural harm on a victim. His behaviour would have undoubtedly undermined the trust and confidence of that victim in the response of policing to them as a vulnerable victim of domestic abuse.

Former PC McClements’ conduct seriously undermines public trust and confidence by showing that those entrusted to uphold the law, have instead abused their authority for their own means. Their behaviour specifically harms the trust and confidence victims of violence against women and girls place in policing.

Policing has come under national scrutiny through high-profile cases where there has been a failing to prevent or protect victims of abuse and violence. It is imperative that policing makes it clear that misconduct of this nature is wholly unacceptable, setting a clear expectation as to the seriousness to which these matters are treated.

A lesser sanction would not serve to uphold high standards and deter misconduct that is out of keeping with colleagues’ and the policing’s ethics and values.

It is clear to me, and it is my decision that determining that a less sanction would be an inadequate outcome for behaviour, therefore, nothing less than dismissal will fulfil the purpose of the police misconduct regime

Dismissal without notice

Publication of Notice

There is no reason why the outcome of this hearing cannot be published on the College of Policing Barred List

The wording will state:

On 10.04.26 former PC McClements pleaded guilty to the offence of Misconduct in a public office, whereby he abused his position to pursue an intimate relationship with a vulnerable victim of domestic abuse, between 30.11.23 and 06.11.24