Former PCSO Sentenced After Sending Explicit Messages in Sting Operation

An ex-police community support officer (PCSO) received a suspended prison sentence and was dismissed from his position after sending explicit messages, believing the recipient was a 13-year-old girl. Daniel Mark Carlson, aged 29, was in fact communicating with a police officer via social media during a sting operation conducted between July and August. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, where Carlson was formerly stationed in Winchester, confirmed his termination following the revelation of his “abhorrent behaviour.” On Friday at Bournemouth Crown Court, Carlson, residing in Bishop’s Waltham, was handed an eight-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. Despite being informed he was communicating with a child, Carlson persisted in sending messages, including proposals to pay for sexually explicit images. He pleaded guilty to two charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and two charges of attempting to cause or incite a girl between the ages of 13 and 15 to participate in sexual activity. Carlson’s name will be placed on the sex offenders’ register for a decade, and he is required to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service along with other rehabilitation programs. Sam de Reya, Deputy Chief Constable for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, stated: “The abhorrent behaviour displayed by Daniel Carlson has absolutely no place in society, let alone in policing.” She further added: “As police officers and staff, we are entrusted with protecting the most vulnerable in our communities, particularly children, a duty at the core of public service and our child-centred policing approach.” De Reya concluded: “The messages Carlson sent, believing he was engaging with a child, are reprehensible and totally at odds with what the public rightly expect from those working in the police service.”