West Mercia Police worker sacked over child indecency conviction

The force confirmed that the male staff member, who was not working in what it described as a “public facing role”, was dismissed with immediate effect. It came after a misconduct hearing on August 22.

In a statement West Mercia Police said the man had previously pleaded guilty to four offences relating to child indecency on the internet.

At a crown court hearing on August 9, he was handed a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for five years.

He must also attend rehabilitation sessions, and sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Protecting

The worker was first arrested in July 2017 and had been suspended from duty since then.

Superintendent Helena Bennett, head of professional standards, said: "The panel found that this member of staff's actions amounted to gross misconduct and breached the standards of professional behaviour in the area of discreditable conduct.

"It is for this reason he was dismissed with immediate effect. Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police are committed to protecting people from harm, in this instance harm was caused by a serving member of staff.

"We take these cases very seriously and the man involved has received the harshest sanction we can impose."

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