Escorting - A disreputable activity for a police sergeant?

[Thephoenix]

A Cheshire police sergeant who signed up to an adult website (AW),  to work as a paid escort , was recently found to have committed gross misconduct.
The officer had worked for 17 years in the Cheshire Constabulary and had earned a Chief Constable's commendation.

In the hearing the Chief Constable was asked to consider if the police sergeant's conduct amounted to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

The officer resigned before the hearing, but the Ch Con concluded that she would have been dismissed from the force had she not resigned.

Discreditable conduct?

[Doc Holliday]

This isn't the first case. I haven't read the  details of this one.

It is not so much that she was an escort as that it was a second occupation/business. Police Officers are normally allowed to have other business interests but it must not interfere with the Police work. Obviolsy to determine if that is the case it must be declared. If it is not declared then it is gross misconduct, irrespective of the nature of that second occupation.

That said had she declared it it is unlikely it would have been approved.

[daviemac]

Could've been worse, she could have been jailed.

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[RandomGuy99]

There seem to be few of these:

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[King Kenny]

I think it's rather telling how quickly they act in relation to things like this yet there are literally thousands of outstanding complaints against police officers for sexual assault and domestic violence.

[Munter84]

We could argue back and forth all day about whether anybody should be reprimanded for *legal* business or lifestyle decisions they make when off the clock, and that's quite separate from the issue of what (arguably antiquated?) criteria we are using to deem certain types of *legal* activities to be "immoral" or "bringing the profession into disrepute".

I think people should be free to do what they want, but discretion is the watchword. In reality, maintaining a respectable public image is often incompatible with sex work (or kinks, or polygamy, or drug/alcohol use, or anything else people should theoretically be free to do behind closed doors), and I can see why the public sector in particular is hot on this as they are ultimately beholden to the taxpayer.

[King Kenny]

We could argue back and forth all day about whether anybody should be reprimanded for *legal* business or lifestyle decisions they make when off the clock, and that's quite separate from the issue of what (arguably antiquated?) criteria we are using to deem certain types of *legal* activities to be "immoral" or "bringing the profession into disrepute".

I think people should be free to do what they want, but discretion is the watchword. In reality, maintaining a respectable public image is often incompatible with sex work (or kinks, or polygamy, or drug/alcohol use, or anything else people should theoretically be free to do behind closed doors), and I can see why the public sector in particular is hot on this as they are ultimately beholden to the taxpayer.

I don't disagree with that analysis - my point is that rape, sexual assault and domestic violence are all far worse crimes that don't seem to be things the police act as swiftly on.

[akauya]

I think it's rather telling how quickly they act in relation to things like this yet there are literally thousands of outstanding complaints against police officers for sexual assault and domestic violence.

I was thinking that, especially about the recent news of that beast David Carrick. There were complaints about him that go back to 2000 about his behaviour towards women. The police did fuck all about the complaints for over 20 years!

[Munter84]

I don't disagree with that analysis - my point is that rape, sexual assault and domestic violence are all far worse crimes that don't seem to be things the police act as swiftly on.

Oh absolutely, I agree with you there.

Perhaps playing devils advocate for a moment, the dismissed police officers in posts 2 and 3 seem to ultimately have been busted for operating brothels, which is low hanging fruit from the POV of getting a conviction. Rape, sexual assault etc are much more serious and harmful crimes but far more difficult to get the charge to stick.

[Thecunninglinguist]

I would think if we want to know who it is we will have to trawl through local profiles and look what uniforms she offers? 

[Sugarspike]

So theoretically, there was an actual opportunity to take NWA famous words literally and F the Police?

[mr.bluesky]

 I bet she will still collect her hefty police pension 

[Colston36]

I think it's rather telling how quickly they act in relation to things like this yet there are literally thousands of outstanding complaints against police officers for sexual assault and domestic violence.

Quite so. We are going backwards to the 18th century when there was little or no protection from those running things. Interesting that Policewoman is one of the costumes some punters like.

[daviemac]

Perhaps playing devils advocate for a moment, the dismissed police officers in posts 2 and 3 seem to ultimately have been busted for operating brothels, which is low hanging fruit from the POV of getting a conviction. Rape, sexual assault etc are much more serious and harmful crimes but far more difficult to get the charge to stick.

Victoria Thorne was charged with and jailed for misconduct in public office.

[Ghost89]

I bet she will still collect her hefty police pension 

As it amounts to gross misconduct that is now lost.

[nigel4498]

Wonder if her opening line was let me take down your particulars.

[Munter84]

Victoria Thorne was charged with and jailed for misconduct in public office.

I stand corrected 

[RandomGuy99]

I think the problem with escorting while an active police officer is that it puts you at risk of blackmail, which could then influence your policing ability e.g. drug dealer discovers you escort. You go to arrest drug dealer. Drug dealer says if you arrest me I'll tell all about your escorting activities. You let drug dealer go. You're screwed and not in a good way. Even though escorting is not illegal you may not want your friends, family and employer to know about it.

[Cceon]

So theoretically, there was an actual opportunity to take NWA famous words literally and F the Police?

Sorry too good to resist 

[JontyR]

You also mustn't confuse internal procedures and the criminal justice system.

Although it is the police the two are separate and will account for the difference in pace. Also the worker having resgined means that the case will be able to be dealt with much quicker. None of the faffing about while they go off sick etc etc.

[boardyhell]

has she paid all her taxes ?

[Kelvin Smyth]

I think the problem with escorting while an active police officer is that it puts you at risk of blackmail, which could then influence your policing ability e.g. drug dealer discovers you escort. You go to arrest drug dealer. Drug dealer says if you arrest me I'll tell all about your escorting activities. You let drug dealer go. You're screwed and not in a good way. Even though escorting is not illegal you may not want your friends, family and employer to know about it.

I think this hits the nail on the head.

Due to the change in moral standards in the UK over the decades police forces are not the "morality police" in which they enforce acceptable standards of behaviour across society, but as the previous post the officer has put themselves at an incredible risk of blackmail.

[sparkus]

She fell foul of the three Ps, but not in the usual way.

[berksboy]

She came under investigation when superiors became suspicious about her use of police computers to make checks about other brothel owners and prostitutes

I would think using police computers in that way is a big no go so she got done for  misconduct in public office.