A former West Midlands Police officer who attempted to conceal his mobile phone under a washing machine during a criminal investigation would have been dismissed had he still been serving, a disciplinary hearing has concluded.
Officer's Dishonest Actions
PC Hollingsworth deliberately hid his personal mobile phone under a washing machine when officers arrived at his home on November 11, 2025, in an effort to prevent it from being located. He then claimed he did not know where the phone was, attempting to frustrate the investigation into an alleged criminal matter.
The panel heard that Hollingsworth later admitted he had 'panicked' because he 'knew why officers were there' and what evidence the phone contained. In an interview on November 24, 2025, he confessed to hiding the device.
Gross Misconduct Finding
The accelerated misconduct hearing in May 2026 found that his actions amounted to gross misconduct, breaching standards of professional behaviour relating to honesty and integrity, and discreditable conduct. The report from chair Debra Tedds stated: 'I am satisfied that the officer's actions in deliberately concealing his mobile phone by placing it under the washing machine and subsequently providing a dishonest account as to its whereabouts were conscious and deliberate acts in an attempt to mislead the officers and frustrate the investigation.'
Body-worn video evidence showed Hollingsworth initially stating he did not know where the phone was, then later admitting he had hidden it. The panel noted that the officer 'knowingly withheld evidence from officers investigating a criminal matter' for which he had been arrested.
Impact on Police Reputation
Ms Tedds added in her report: 'I find the conduct to be intentional and deliberate, albeit apparently spontaneous on the police knocking on the door. The former officer would have known what content was on the phone, hence hiding it and seeking to conceal evidence. Whilst off duty, the former officer's actions were dishonest in an attempt to frustrate the investigation and mislead officers which, in itself, is likely to bring the police service into disrepute.'
Hollingsworth sent an email stating he would not attend the hearing and would not put forward any representations. The panel concluded that had he still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice.
