The Sussex PC and the woman – referred to as Miss A – shared explicit sexual messages and discussed drug taking over WhatsApp.

The Gatwick based officer was described as predatory and manipulative.

He lied about being in a relationship with the vulnerable woman in official police forms, a disciplinary hearing was told.

The officer, who cannot be named, met the woman in February 2021 at the yoga class.

He was sacked without notice after a disciplinary panel found he abused his position to pursue a sexual relationship with a member of the public.



He made contact with Miss A through Facebook and told her he was a police officer.

He offered to act as her advisor to help her dealings with social services.

The officer, named only as PC X,  was sacked without notice.

PC X denied being in a relationship with the woman despite answering the door when police called at her house.

He told colleagues Miss A was at a Hot Yoga class.

Sarah Taylor for the Appropriate Authority said the key evidence was the volume of WhatsApp messages between the officer and Miss A discussing their relationship and drug use.

She said: “There were repeated conversations about the misuse of drugs, described as Rolling Therapy.

“It’s clear from the messages he would regularly prepare cannabis cigarettes for her.”

The officer referred to Miss A as Wombat in explicitly sexual messages, Ms Taylor said.

During their relationship, the officer failed to mention it in official police forms.

Ms Taylor said: “If he was not aware the relationship was inappropriate, why did he not declare it?”

Adam King, for the officer, said it was inevitable he would mention his job when meeting a woman.

The officer was not abusing his position of trust and authority over the woman.

Mr King said: “He offered to help, what’s wrong with that?”

The panel found the officer had abused his position of trust and authority with the intention of developing a sexual relationship with Miss A, which was predatory and manipulative.

The Panel also found he was dishonest and disingenuous.

PC X had breached the standards of professional behaviour regarding honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct, the panel said.

Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme, deputy head of force Professional Standards Department, said: “When police officers or staff abuse their position of trust for a sexual purpose, particularly in respect of vulnerable people, such behaviour represents a fundamental betrayal of the public and the values for which the police service stands.

“It lets down the vast majority of their colleagues who act with professionalism and integrity.”

The officer was dismissed without notice and added to the College of Policing Barred list which will prevent a return to policing.  





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