Thames Valley Police trainee would have been dismissed for racist behaviour
James Wood joined the force in October 2023 but resigned in March 2024
Last updated 8th Jul 2026
A former trainee police officer at Thames Valley Police's Sulhamstead training centre would have been dismissed for racist behaviour had he not resigned.
James Wood joined the force in October 2023, but quit in March 2024, after making offensive remarks and engaging in discriminatory actions.
During training, Wood commented that he avoided drinking after previously getting “into a bit of trouble” for being “really racist.”
He upset fellow trainees by dismissing staying at a hotel, because of immigrants.
Wood also made inflammatory remarks in response to a social media video about floods in Pakistan where nearly 2,000 people died.
Despite resignation, a panel led by Assistant Chief Constable Dennis Murray QPM, along with Susannah Dengate and Eddie Lynch, found that these behaviours amounted to gross misconduct and justified dismissal from the force.
The panel highlighted breaches of standards relating to authority, respect, courtesy, equality, and diversity, stressing the importance of maintaining public trust in the police service.
Wood had refused to participate in the proceedings.