PC sent sexual messages to vulnerable woman

A former Derbyshire Constabulary officer who sent sexually explicit messages to a vulnerable woman committed gross misconduct, a disciplinary panel has ruled.

The hearing was told Benjamin Pearson obtained the woman’s number while dealing with a roadside incident in September 2022.

An investigation found that by December that year they had exchanged more than 2,700 WhatsApp messages, texts and calls and Mr Pearson, 37, accessed information about her and other members of her family on police systems.

Having found the gross misconduct allegations proved, the panel said he would have been dismissed had he not resigned.

The officer, who was formerly based at Buxton Police Station, was found to have breached police professional behaviour standards for conduct, confidentiality, and duties and responsibilities.

He will also be placed on the barred list preventing future employment with the police service.

The investigation began following a referral by Derbyshire Constabulary to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

It established that Mr Pearson met up with the woman the same day they had met and after sending her a message while still on duty.

Some of PC Pearson’s messages were of a sexual nature and more than 200 were sent by him while he was at work, the tribunal heard.

IOPC director of operations, Steve Noonan, said: “PC Pearson abused his authority and position of trust by pursuing an improper emotional relationship with a member of the public he met on duty.

“Aggravating features of this case are that it was not a one-off incident and he carried on sending sexualised messages over several months after the woman indicated she was emotionally vulnerable.

"It was also clear from his messages that he knew what he was doing was wrong and could get him in trouble. He has now been held accountable for his behaviour.”

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