Former Greater Manchester Police detective chief inspector barred after failing drugs test
A former senior officer with Greater Manchester Police has been placed on the national Barred List after failing a drugs test while serving in a senior role.
Former Detective Chief Inspector James Faulkner was dismissed today following an accelerated misconduct hearing, after testing positive for a Class C drug earlier this year.
The hearing was chaired by GMP’s Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson QPM, who concluded that Mr Faulkner’s actions amounted to gross misconduct and that he would have been sacked without notice had he not already resigned.
An investigation by GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate found that Mr Faulkner failed a drugs test in March 2025 after testing positive for anabolic steroids.
At the time, he was serving as a detective chief inspector within the force’s Public Protection Governance Unit.
Although Mr Faulkner accepted that his behaviour constituted gross misconduct, he did not attend the hearing.
Speaking after the outcome, Sir Stephen Watson said the case highlighted conduct that was “simply incompatible” with the responsibilities of policing.
“He held a senior rank but failed to live up to that role - his conduct falls squarely into that which rightly causes a loss of trust amongst the public,” he said.
“He has paid a heavy price for a catastrophic lack of judgement which should serve as a salutary lesson to all those fortunate to hold the trusted office of police constable.”
Detective Superintendent Carl Gilbert, who oversaw the investigation, said the misuse of anabolic steroids by a serving officer was unacceptable and risked damaging public confidence.
“Police officers, whether on or off duty, are required to behave in a manner which does not discredit the police service or undermine public confidence in it,” he said.
“The misuse of anabolic steroids by a serving police officer is unacceptable and risks undermining public confidence in our workforce, the vast majority of whom are hard-working and professional people.
“We’ve been very clear with officers, staff and the public that the GMP of today is upholding the highest of standards, and where such standards are breached then we will take necessary action.”
Mr Faulkner’s name will now be added to the Barred List, preventing him from serving as a police officer in the future.