The Corrupt Cop Working with Gangsters - Adam Davies Tells His Story

Adam Davies grew up in a fairly traditional family in Hampshire, where his mother worked as a swimming teacher and his father was a police officer. From a young age, Adam was highly active and dedicated to sports, especially gymnastics. Starting gymnastics at the age of three, he was initially recognized as a promising talent and went on to compete internationally, earning medals and even representing Great Britain at the European Championships. Despite not reaching the very top in the sport, gymnastics shaped his physique and discipline, influencing his later life and career.

The conversation highlighted how demanding and physically taxing gymnastics is, with injuries like a broken wrist that almost ended his career. Adam retired at 17 after a high point but later returned to the sport, despite chronic injuries. He also compared gymnastics' physical demands to other sports like rugby, calling it damaging yet something he enjoyed intensely. The British gymnastics scene and its evolution over the past 15 years were touched upon, emphasizing the growth of talented younger athletes pushing the sport forward.

Police Family Legacy and Early Career

With his father having been a respected police officer who rose through the ranks, it was almost inevitable that Adam would join the force. Growing up listening to his father's stories, Adam aspired to follow in his footsteps and initially worked several jobs before entering the police staff role as a detention officer. He learned the ropes booking people into custody and dealing closely with a range of offenders, which helped him gain valuable experience before progressing to becoming a full police officer.

Adam's entrance into policing was partly influenced by family tradition, with his brother also involved in police work. However, he quickly detected the difference between his father's era and contemporary policing, particularly in challenges such as increased mental health cases and procedural complexities. There was also pressure not to tarnish the family name, which proved difficult when Adam's own troubles emerged.

Challenges of Custody Work and Dealing with Offenders

Working initially as a detention officer, Adam was exposed to the diverse, often challenging nature of police custody. He narrated the variety of crimes from theft to terrorism-related offenses, emphasizing the unpredictable range of people who come through. Particularly harrowing were the details about booking in elderly offenders for historic child offenses and the complexity of ensuring each detainee's safety under difficult circumstances.

Adam also discussed the emotional and ethical challenges of remaining impartial, even with the most distressing detainees such as suspected pedophiles. He described the professional struggle to balance empathy with safety and welfare duties, despite personal feelings. The conversations underscored how custody work exposes officers to some of the darkest facets of human behavior and the mental toll that often accompanies that responsibility.

Transition to Full Police Officer and Initial Experiences

After nearly two years in custody, Adam transitioned to becoming a full-fledged police officer, undergoing 12 weeks of training plus additional placements focused on community engagement. He praised the quality of his tutors and the bonding within his small training team, which helped solidify his commitment. Once on the streets, Adam preferred operational work to paperwork, focusing on response duties, car chases, foot pursuits, and crime prevention.

The physical demands of police work were discussed alongside issues such as fitness standards and how modern policing compares unfavorably with other countries due to lack of rigorous fitness regimes. Adam noted that bullying or disregard from criminals toward police had increased as respect waned. He was candid about his love for the job but pointed out systemic challenges, including strained officer welfare and societal perceptions impacting morale.

Physical and Mental Health Impact of Policing

Adam opened up about the physical assaults he faced on the job, sharing a notable incident where a suspect hit him in the face during arrest. Yet, it was the psychological impact of policing, particularly exposure to suicides and dead bodies, that took the greatest toll. His first suicide call deeply affected him and made him question his career choice. The mental strain mounted over years, exacerbated by lack of understanding and resources for officers' mental health.

He contrasted how officers often deal unsympathetically with recurring mental health calls without realizing the complexity behind the behaviors. Adam eventually sought private therapy years after leaving the force, admitting that the trauma had caught up with him. His story reveals the crucial and often overlooked mental health battles faced by police and the slow progress toward better support systems.

Social and Political Commentary on COVID-19

The pandemic and government responses were a recurring theme in the discussion. Adam touched on incidents during lockdown, including his own COVID-related offense, the contradictions in regulations, and public skepticism toward government messaging. He criticized perceived hypocrisy, such as politicians breaking lockdown rules while ordinary citizens faced penalties.

He expressed distrust in official narratives and concern over media manipulation and the long-term social harm, including mental health impacts and restrictions on freedoms. Though not an expert, Adam's views reflected a broader frustration shared by many regarding the management of COVID-19, showcasing the tensions between public duty and personal liberty within frontline professions during crises.

Police Culture, Hierarchy, and Treatment of Officers

Adam described the challenges within police culture, including strained relationships with management, internal politics, and feelings of being undervalued. Despite his lineage, he felt no special treatment and often believed he was held to higher standards because of his family name. He faced setbacks such as denied opportunities in specialized departments and disputes over tattoo policies that reflected broader tensions between individuality and institutional conformity.

He also discussed changes in policing styles, greater political correctness, and reduced tolerance for assertive policing, which he saw as contributing to lowered respect for officers. The interview highlighted the complexity of police work behind the scenes, where officers must navigate bureaucratic hurdles, hierarchical pressures, and societal expectations while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Viral Rap Video and Public Profile

Among the episodes that foreshadowed trouble was Adam's viral rap video about county lines and knife crime, intended as community engagement. Though initially supported by his department, the video leaked prematurely, quickly attracting millions of views online and provoking internal disciplinary action. Despite the popularity and positive impact, the premature release without protective security measures against personal information exposed Adam to criticism and added stress.

This episode marked a turning point, illustrating how digital media presence can both empower and endanger officers. Adam candidly admitted to naivety regarding the consequences and acknowledged the pressure from management and peers following the incident. The rap reflected his desire to connect differently with communities, but it also intensified scrutiny on his conduct.

The Misconduct Investigation and Charges

Adam's downfall culminated in a prolonged, four-and-a-half-year investigation involving serious misconduct charges. The authorities suspected him of abusing police resources and sharing information with criminals—allegations fueled partly by his associations with individuals linked to criminality, exacerbated by the videos he'd shared. He was arrested, subjected to surveillance, and faced charges including improper use of police systems and corruption-related offenses without evidence of monetary exchange.

Throughout the ordeal, Adam maintained his innocence on major allegations and acknowledged wrongdoing on lesser counts tied to poor judgment. The extensive investigation, media attention, and public vilification weighed heavily on him, compounded by isolation from peers and family within police circles. He described the profound personal and professional toll of facing such serious accusations despite a largely clean record from colleagues.

Court Proceedings and Media Portrayal

Adam's court experience was traumatic, with significant media interest sensationalizing his case as a corruption scandal involving drug gangs. He faced eight formal charges, initially pleading not guilty due to inadequate disclosure but eventually accepting a plea deal to avoid a protracted 13-day trial. Public perception was harsh, fueled by tabloid-style headlines that did not reflect the nuances of the case.

He revealed the psychological strain of courtroom cross-examination and media scrutiny, exacerbated by the disparity between the portrayal and the realities of the offenses, which were mostly non-violent and concerned professional misconduct. Despite plea negotiations resulting in a suspended sentence, fines, and community service, Adam described feeling broken by the process and the damage to his reputation.

Life After Policing and Future Aspirations

Following his sentence, Adam sought to rebuild his life, transitioning to work as a lorry driver while staying candid about his past with prospective employers. Despite setbacks, he found understanding in his new role and a supportive environment willing to offer him a second chance. Adam has also engaged in voluntary work with his former police force, focusing on anti-corruption education and mentoring to help prevent others from making similar mistakes.

He remains passionate about gymnastics and fatherhood, seeking to strengthen his relationship with his son and embrace a stable family life. Looking forward, Adam plans to write a book sharing his story, hoping to transform his negative experiences into constructive lessons for both police and the public. He emphasizes resilience and cautions others against naivety, encouraging openness about mental health struggles and learning from errors.

Reflections on Policing, Corruption, and Personal Responsibility

Throughout the discussion, Adam reflected deeply on his own failings, emphasizing accountability without seeking to excuse his actions. He sees his mistakes as stemming from a desire to be liked and a failure to understand the seriousness of mixing social circles with professional duties. While not corrupt in the traditional sense of accepting bribes or facilitating criminal enterprises, his complacency and poor decisions endangered the integrity of his role.

He stressed the importance of officers maintaining clear boundaries and being vigilant against subtle forms of manipulation and association. Adam also highlighted the larger systemic issues of trust within law enforcement and the pressures officers face from all sides—public expectations, internal discipline, and personal life challenges. His story is both a cautionary tale and an appeal for greater awareness and support for police mental health and ethical decision-making.