Former Essex police officer found guilty of abusing his position for sexual purpose
A former Essex police officer has been found guilty of gross misconduct following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into allegations he abused his position for sexual purpose.
PC Simon Jones, aged 36, based at Braintree Police Station, formed or attempted to form inappropriate sexual relationships with two victims of crime he came into contact with during the course of his work, an independent misconduct panel concluded. He also went on to send sexually explicit messages to these victims.
At the disciplinary hearing, which was arranged by Essex Police, the panel found the actions of former PC Jones constituted gross misconduct, concluding the allegations were proven. It also found the officer breached the standards of professional behaviour for discreditable conduct and authority, respect and courtesy.
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The IOPC said that had PC Jones still been a serving officer he would have been dismissed without notice. PC Jones resigned from Essex Police on 30 June.
PC Jones’ conduct came to light following an initial referral from Essex Police in May 2019. The IOPC began an independent investigation into allegations the officer began a sexual relationship with a victim of crime.
In November 2019, the IOPC received a second referral from Essex Police relating to the same officer sending inappropriate and explicit messages to another victim of crime.
The investigations, which concluded in December 2019 and March 2020 respectively, looked at mobile phone records, GPS data, police logs, witness accounts and coupled with the officer’s response during interview found there was a case to answer for gross misconduct, which was agreed by Essex Police.
IOPC Regional Director Sarah Green said:
“Any officer who abuses their position of trust and power by engaging in, or attempting to engage in inappropriate relationships, can have no place in policing.
“PC Jones knew his behaviour was inappropriate as demonstrated in a response to one of the victims when replying from his work mobile phone.
"He then swiftly moved the conversation to his personal device and continued to engage with the victim ultimately developing a sexual relationship with them."
The hearing was held on August 3. The officer will be placed on the police barred list.