A former Cumbria Police officer will face a public misconduct hearing on December 4, after being found in possession of cocaine and lying to police.

PC 2899 Matthew Carter will answer to four allegations in Cumbria Police's Penrith headquarters next week, having been found with the Class A drug when off-duty in Manchester. 

On 21 September 2023, while off duty on a night out in Manchester, officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had cause to stop and search Carter on suspicion of being in possession of controlled drugs, pursuant to section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. When searched by officers from GMP, Carter was found to be in possession of a wrap of cocaine, a class A controlled drug.

This breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Discreditable Conduct and amounts to gross misconduct.

Carter is also accused of breaching both limbs of the Honesty & Integrity Standard of Professional Behaviour, having told GMP officers that he worked for the council looking after vulnerable people.

Text messages recovered on Carter's phone from his partner also provide further evidence of his use of controlled drugs including cocaine.

On September 22, 2023, Carter provided a signed pre-prepared statement to police that reads: "I am not a drug user, I never have been. I have also never bought or possessed drugs of any kind."

On March 5, 2024, Carter provided another signed pre-prepared statement to police that reads: "I have previously had an issue with minor drug use for which I have sought help in the past. I have not used any illicit substances for a considerable amount of time. This part of my life is long since over and I don’t need any assistance with it."

The two statements contradict each other, and therefore Carter is also accused of providing, misleading, inaccurate and dishonest statements to police. 

It is further alleged that this conduct, if proven, amounts to Gross Misconduct and is so serious as to justify dismissal.