West Mercia Police officer sacked over crime scene photo

It was also alleged that Pc Jon Challoner had breached a written warning not to associate with a person with criminal convictions.

Pc Challoner was dismissed from West Mercia Police, the force that covers Shropshire, without notice for gross misconduct following a disciplinary hearing.

The hearing, which Pc Challoner did not attend, concluded that he had breached standards of professional behaviour.

The force said the police constable had forwarded the image to two other identified people. He had also discussed the incident on social media.

It has not been revealed where the picture was taken.

The force’s misconduct hearing, held at Leek Wootton, was also told Pc Challoner was in ‘unauthorised personal possession’ of a breath screening device or breathalyser belonging to West Mercia Police.

It was alleged he used the device ‘not for a policing purpose’.

It was also claimed Pc Challoner breached a warning not to associate with a person with criminal convictions.

An official police statement on the ruling said: “It was alleged that PC Challoner breached a written warning not to associate with an identified person with criminal convictions contrary to West Mercia Police notifiable association policy and contrary to a lawful instruction given to him.”

The hearing was independently chaired by Mr Harry Ireland and follows an investigation by West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police professional standards department.

Superintendent Helena Bennett, head of professional standards, said: “After hearing the evidence, the independent chair found that PC 3235 Jon Challoner had breached the standards of professional behaviour, in particular those relating to discreditable conduct, orders and instructions, duties and responsibilities, confidentiality and honesty and integrity.

“It is for this reason he was dismissed without notice.”

The outcome of the misconduct hearing is subject to the normal appeals process.