A SOUTH Worcestershire Police officer who formed inappropriate sexual relationships with three vulnerable members of the public he met during the course of his duties would have been dismissed had he not resigned already.
A misconduct hearing which concluded on Tuesday found PC Jonathan Townsend guilty of breaching three standards of professional behaviour – ‘authority respect and courtesy’, ‘duties and responsibilities’ and ‘discreditable conduct’.
Mr Townsend abused his position for a sexual purpose with the vulnerable people he met and his actions included sending and receiving explicit images on his work mobile telephone.
The former PC’s behaviour was so serious it amounted to ‘serious misconduct’ and at the hearing it was stated had he not already quit he would have been dismissed without notice.
West Mercia Police referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in October 2020 which, following an independent investigation, referred it to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
No charges were authorised and the matter was referred back to the force with a recommendation of a misconduct hearing.
Mr Townsend resigned in November 2021.
Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss, said: “This is the second such case to be heard in West Mercia Police in the past week, and the outcome reaffirms our commitment to rid our force, and the whole police service, of corrupt officers.
“We will not accept this behaviour in our force.
“It is a form of serious corruption and we are working with vigor to eradicate it.”
As well as being dismissed from his role, Mr Townsend has been added to the College of Policing Barred List.
Anyone wishing to report concerns about a police employee can do so anonymously via Crimestoppers at crimestoppers-uk.org/ or by calling 0800 555 111.
