A West Midlands police officer was found to have deliberately tried to obstruct an investigation by hiding his mobile phone under a washing machine during a police probe, a disciplinary hearing revealed.
PC Hollingsworth, described as ‘dishonest’ by the hearing panel, concealed his phone to prevent fellow officers from finding evidence related to an ongoing criminal inquiry. When questioned, he falsely claimed he did not know the phone’s whereabouts.
The ex-officer later admitted that he panicked, as he was aware of the reason for the police visit and the potential evidence the phone contained. His actions were judged to breach professional standards, amounting to gross misconduct.
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The misconduct hearing, chaired by Debra Tedds, concluded that Hollingsworth’s behavior was a conscious and deliberate attempt to mislead officers and frustrate their investigation. The panel noted that had he still been an active member of West Midlands Police, he would have faced dismissal.
Documentation presented showed that on November 11, 2025, Hollingsworth hid his personal phone under a washing machine upon officers’ arrival and initially denied knowledge of its location. A body-worn camera recording captured him eventually admitting to hiding the device during a November 24 interview.
The panel found he breached standards related to honesty, integrity, and conduct likely to bring the police service into disrepute. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Hollingsworth elected not to attend the hearing or present any representations.
Ms. Tedds’ report highlighted that although the concealment appeared spontaneous when officers arrived, the intent behind hiding the phone was clear, as Hollingsworth knew the content it held. His off-duty dishonesty was deemed damaging to the reputation of the police service.