Copper sacked for contacting "English Emma"

[Jacksonwood]

Hadn't come across English Emma before (literally or metaphorically), but I think this is a little harsh don't you?

External Link/Members Only

Ok he's in public facing role, but unless he used the PNC to get her number he's not done anything "too wrong", I guess it was for breaking a code of ethics or misconduct in public office or similar

[nbarnes]

If only he'd been a member here, he'd have known to use a punting phone 

Seeing SPs isn't illegal - he's not broken the law. How did they find out is what I want to know?

[Paul9144]

Hadn't come across English Emma before (literally or metaphorically), but I think this is a little harsh don't you?

External Link/Members Only

Ok he's in public facing role, but unless he used the PNC to get her number he's not done anything "too wrong", I guess it was for breaking a code of ethics or misconduct in public office or similar

Reading from the beginning of the article, it states "despite claiming he had been searching for massages online".

That reads to me that he stupidly used a computer at work (which all searches are monitored even when not using the PNC).

Also, PC's do get issued with a work mobile phone.

I'm guessing that he may have been on duty at the time of the messages which would be misconduct.

If only he'd been a member here, he'd have known to use a punting phone 

Seeing SPs isn't illegal - he's not broken the law. How did they find out is what I want to know?

The first sentence made me laugh

I did initially think that police officers are allowed to book SP's, but I then did a quick Google search and apparently they are not.

Hidden Image/Members Only

[Aji81]

Hadn't come across English Emma before (literally or metaphorically), but I think this is a little harsh don't you?

External Link/Members Only

Ok he's in public facing role, but unless he used the PNC to get her number he's not done anything "too wrong", I guess it was for breaking a code of ethics or misconduct in public office or similar

It leaves him open to blackmail or coercion which is why they take a harsh view of it. Organised crime groups manipulating coppers either because they're bent or being forced to can cause a lot of damage.

[Punting2022]

Reading from the beginning of the article, it states "despite claiming he had been searching for massages online".

That reads to me that he stupidly used a computer at work (which all searches are monitored even when not using the PNC).

Also, PC's do get issued with a work mobile phone.

I'm guessing that he may have been on duty at the time of the messages which would be misconduct.

The first sentence made me laugh

I did initially think that police officers are allowed to book SP's, but I then did a quick Google search and apparently they are not.

Hidden Image/Members Only

You should use a punting phone, also not real name. Dont tell her your police

[Paul9144]

You should use a punting phone, also not real name. Dont tell her your police

I agree 👍🏻

Obviously, he shouldn't have done it at all but at least use an alias and a punting phone without disclosing his line of work.

[Mr Garmin]

It's patently obvious that he used his work provided phone to ring escorts and it's unlikely this would have been an isolated incident.

He's clearly an idiot so if he hadn't done this he would have gone far in the job.

[GoldTop]

I heard it was his own phone which was seized in connection with a separate issue.

Either way, its his business. Fuck all to do with the police. Private matter, on private time and nothing illegal.

Would be my take.

[scutty brown]

The problem is that by contacting a sex worker he's opening himself up to attempts of extortion or blackmail. It undermines the police's authority. Just as it would if he were found to be gambling, or overspending and running up debts.

[RandomGuy99]

How did his employers even find out about the text?

I've known SPs who have told me that they have police officers as clients.

[scutty brown]

How did his employers even find out about the text?

Presumably the same way as anyone else gets caught out: poor personal security.
At a guess it could be any of talking/boasting about it, not using a punterphone - or if he had one not keeping it hidden, making calls on work time, suspicious wife, saying the wrong thing in a security/vetting interview, someone who had a grudge and knew what he was doing, maybe the girl or her pimp knew who he was and wanted to take him down.......many possibilities

[bops909]

If only he'd been a member here, he'd have known to use a punting phone 

Seeing SPs isn't illegal - he's not broken the law. How did they find out is what I want to know?

Well the new tech from Palantir being used by the Met is able to track a lot of actions on a phone.

In this case, taking a photo of the screen on another phone.

Because it was the police-issued phone, with the software running on it, the action was recorded by Palantir.

Enough for a sacking.

External Link/Members Only

[Stickitin]

He’s just a dumbass for using a work phone……

[Snagbadjer]

They're full of pervs and weirdos. No wonder they're hated. Another one in the news today who got caught dogging with his piggy colleague. External Link/Members Only. And another wrong 'un here External Link/Members Only. The aplogists will say it's just a few "bad apples".