Officer contacted sex workers more than 80 times

A constable who contacted sex workers on more than 80 occasions - including 30 times while on duty - has been banned from policing.

The Merseyside Police officer, who cannot be named due to an anonymity ruling, was found to have committed gross misconduct following an investigation.

A subsequent disciplinary hearing heard how the former officer, who resigned in July 2023, had contacted the sex workers between December 2020 and August 2022.

Amanda Rowe, director of the police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), said the officer's behaviour had "no place in policing", adding it was "exacerbated by the fact the contact was so extensive".

Merseyside Police referred the officer's actions to the IOPC and an investigation was launched.

Evidence of the officer making visits to areas frequented by sex workers and cash withdrawals correlating with these visits was uncovered.

Analysis of the officer's mobile phone records showed frequent, ongoing contact with sex workers while both on and off-duty.

The IOPC said there had been no apparent policing purpose for the contacts.

The officer was arrested by Merseyside Police in August 2022 and provided "no comment" responses during interviews as a criminal suspect.

The disciplinary panel ruled on Friday that the PC would have been dismissed had he not already have resigned from the force.

"Police officers hold an incredibly privileged position in society and it is crucial their behaviour, both on and off-duty, does not discredit the police service," Ms Rowe said.

"It is made clear to officers from the outset of their service that it is unacceptable to have or seek inappropriate and unprofessional contact like this.

"The officer's actions are exacerbated by the fact the contact was so extensive."

She said such cases have "the real potential to impact on public confidence in the police" and "this behaviour and wilful breach of standards has no place in policing".

The officer will be added to the barred list, preventing him from working for the police in future.

He was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy; discreditable conduct; honesty and integrity; and orders and instructions.

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