A toxic culture within Cambridgeshire Constabulary's WhatsApp groups has been exposed in court, with devastating consequences for the integrity of law enforcement. Former sergeant Paul Street, 41, who gained a reputation as an expert on television crime shows, has been found guilty of misconduct in public office. The conviction follows a trial at the Old Bailey, where the full extent of Street's actions left even Judge Mark Lucraft KC 'shocked', with sentencing scheduled for 30 July.
Street, who had risen through the ranks since joining the force in August 2005 and leading a team on county lines drug supply and organised crime by 2021, was cleared of assaulting a drug dealer and perverting the course of justice. However, he was convicted on two counts of misconduct following an investigation that began after a new police officer reported him in 2021.
The inquiry uncovered two WhatsApp groups that fostered a 'toxic' environment, leading to the investigation of 12 other officers. PC Josh Williams, 38, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office among them. While two others resigned and one was dismissed for gross misconduct, four received disciplinary action: one received a final written warning, and three were issued with written warnings.
Prosecutor Anne Whyte KC revealed that in 2020, PC Williams sent Street a photograph of a female suspect in her underwear at his request. The following year, Street asked to see the intimate video again, stating he wanted to show it to colleagues from a football team. His defence claimed he sought to ensure the woman was not being exploited; however, this was disputed by Prosecutor Whyte.
Street admitted his WhatsApp messages were 'poor' but attributed them to 'gallows humour', suggesting it was 'part of the culture at the time'. He had previously admitted two offences of unlawful disclosure of personal data for sharing information with his partner in 2020. Prosecutor Whyte argued that Street's behaviour was not that of a 'maverick' officer, but rather someone who repeatedly broke rules and dishonoured public trust.