Former Police Officer Found Guilty of Gross Misconduct for Sending Sexual Messages

A disciplinary panel has determined that a former officer with Derbyshire Constabulary engaged in gross misconduct by transmitting sexually explicit messages to a vulnerable woman. The hearing revealed that Benjamin Pearson acquired the woman’s contact number in September 2022 while attending a roadside incident. An subsequent investigation uncovered that by December of the same year, they had exchanged over 2,700 communications, including WhatsApp messages, texts, and calls. Furthermore, Mr Pearson, aged 37, accessed information concerning her and her family members through police systems. The panel, having substantiated the allegations of gross misconduct, stated that Mr Pearson would have been dismissed from his position had he not already resigned. The officer, previously stationed at Buxton Police Station, was found to have violated police professional behaviour standards pertaining to conduct, confidentiality, and duties and responsibilities. He will also be placed on a barred list, which will prevent his future employment within the police service. The investigation was initiated following a referral from Derbyshire Constabulary to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). It was established that Mr Pearson met with the woman on the same day they initially encountered each other, after sending her a message while still on duty. The tribunal heard that some of PC Pearson’s messages were of a sexual nature, with more than 200 of them being dispatched by him while he was at work. Steve Noonan, IOPC director of operations, commented: “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.”