Police officer found with drugs banned from force

A police officer who was found with drugs has been barred from serving on the force.

PC Mathew Carter was found to be carrying a wrap of cocaine when he was stopped by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) while on a night out on 21 September 2023.

Carter was off-duty at the time but lied to officers about the drugs and what he did for a living.

He has since resigned from Cumbria Police but a misconduct hearing on Wednesday found his actions amounted to gross misconducted.

The hearing was told how Carter said to GMP officers he "worked for the council looking after vulnerable people".

During an interview with GMP, he also presented a signed pre-prepared statement which claimed he had "never bought or possessed drugs of any kind".

However, in a later statement given to Cumbria Police he said he had "previously had an issue with minor drug use" but that "part of his life is long since over".

An examination of Carter's mobile phone revealed text messages from a third party which suggested he had driven to Preston to buy drugs.

The messages also claimed Carter owed the other person £1,000.

The panel found his actions breached the force's honesty and integrity standard of professional behaviour and amounted to gross misconduct.

Chief Constable Rob Carden said Carter's actions were "unacceptable".

"The result of the hearing will mean Carter is placed on the national Barred List," he said.

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