A misconduct hearing has found gross misconduct proven for a former officer who shared images of a murder victim and made offensive comments to colleagues.

Former Detective Sergeant Jason Grafham, who was based in the Central Specialist Crime Command, was an exhibits officer for the murder of 18-year-old Sally Anne Bowman in Croydon in 2005. The hearing found he had retained material from that investigation – including images of Sally Anne’s body – which he had shown to a colleague in late 2024.

There was no policing purpose for him to do this, nor to have retained the material for such a long period.

Detective Chief Superintendent Angela Craggs, who leads Central Specialist Crime Command, said: “The actions of former DS Grafham were despicable, incomprehensible and deeply disrespectful. I am profoundly sorry to the family and loved ones of Sally Anne Bowman for the additional pain and distress caused to them by what he did.

“Grafham’s comments to colleagues were also incredibly offensive and inappropriate. There is no place in the organisation for those who think such behaviour and language is acceptable.

“We are all appalled by his conduct and grateful to colleagues who had the confidence to come forward and report their concerns, which we were able to swiftly act on.

“Investing in more officers as part of our unprecedented drive to improve standards and culture across the organisation enables us to deal robustly with wrongdoing at the earliest opportunity.”

Former DS Grafham also faced eight allegations that he made offensive and derogatory comments to colleagues – six of these related to female colleagues and the majority were sexual in nature. Seven of the allegations were proven.

In December 2024 reports relating to Grafham’s inappropriate comments were made to senior managers. As part of the misconduct investigation that followed it came to light that Grafham had also showed a colleague material relating to Sally Anne Bowman’s case.

Grafham was suspended in January 2025 and remained so until his retirement earlier this month.

The hearing found he had breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, and equality and diversity at the level of gross misconduct and that he would have been dismissed without notice were he still serving.

Grafham will also be added to the College of Policing barred list, preventing him from re-joining the police or working for a number of other policing-related bodies.