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Leicestershire Police officer dismissed for gross misconduct after contacting sex worker
Overview
A Leicestershire Police officer, granted anonymity, has been sacked with immediate effect following a misconduct hearing after being found to have intentionally contacted a sex worker. The officer claimed he was searching online for a legitimate massage, but the panel rejected his explanation due to a lack of verifiable phone data and redacted bank statements. Chief Constable David Sandall ruled the actions amounted to gross misconduct.
Key points
- An anonymous Leicestershire Police officer was dismissed following a misconduct hearing at force headquarters.
- The officer sent a text message to a number associated with a sex worker in September 2024.
- He claimed he was searching online for legitimate massages and that the number appeared in search results.
- Chief Constable David Sandall rejected the explanation, noting the officer redacted bank statements and failed to provide phone data.
- The panel ruled the officer committed gross misconduct by intentionally contacting a number connected to sexual services.