Former West Midlands detective found guilty of misconduct for hoarding evidence at home
Ex-detective faces disciplinary action for storing sensitive evidence including child abuse materials at home
A former detective from West Midlands Police, James Cox, has been found guilty of gross misconduct after storing a substantial amount of sensitive evidence, including items related to child abuse cases, at his home.
The discovery was made following a visit to his home in January 2025, initiated by his supervisor's inquiry regarding the whereabouts of a mobile phone critical to a child abuse investigation.
An accelerated misconduct hearing conducted by West Midlands Police determined that Cox would have been dismissed had he not resigned on 16th September. He will be placed on the barred list, preventing him from future employment in the police force.
The hearing, which took place on 28th September, identified several breaches in police professional standards, notably in honesty, integrity, duties, responsibilities, and confidentiality.
During the investigation, officers recovered several sensitive materials from Cox's home, including 11 mobile phones, official documents, and digital media, many of which were related to child abuse and organised crime cases. The materials had not been properly recorded or stored securely, raising concerns about the potential compromise of ongoing investigations.
Further evidence was discovered in his lockers at Wolverhampton Police Station. His actions were deemed as a direct threat to public trust and confidence in police operations.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated the matter upon a conduct referral from West Midlands Police in February 2025. Learning from this investigation has prompted recommendations to West Midlands Police regarding the management of detained property and exhibits to ensure compliance with force policies.
IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell said: “Ex-DC Cox admitted he knowingly and wilfully stored exhibits, property and graded intelligence at his home address in contravention of policy.
“A particularly aggravating feature of this case is the gravity of the matters the evidence related to, the potential for those investigations to have been compromised, and the risk posed by it being kept at ex-DC Cox’s home in such an unsecure manner.
“We also found that there was an element of dishonestly when he told a supervisor that one of the mobiles relating to a child abuse case was at the police station when it was in fact at his property.
“Clearly such behaviour undermines public trust and confidence and has no place in policing.”