Former PC dismissed for gross misconduct

A misconduct hearing concluded today for former Police Constable Jonathan Townsend.

It was chaired by an independent legally qualified chair.

The hearing heard that Mr Townsend breached three Standards of Professional Behaviour: (i) authority, respect and courtesy; (ii) duties and responsibilities; and (iii) discreditable conduct when he formed inappropriate sexual relationships with three vulnerable members of the public who he met in the course of his duties.

He abused his position for a sexual purpose with them, and his actions included sending and receiving explicit images on his work mobile telephone.

The behaviour of Mr Townsend was so serious it amounted to gross misconduct and the chair ruled that had he not already resigned he would have been dismissed without notice.

West Mercia Police referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in October 2020 who, following an independent investigation, referred it to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

No charges were authorised and the matter was referred back to the force with a recommendation of a misconduct hearing.

Mr Townsend resigned in November 2021.

Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss, said: “This is the second such case to be heard in West Mercia Police in the past week, and the outcome reaffirms our commitment to rid our force, and the whole police service, of corrupt officers.

"We will not accept this behaviour in our force. It is a form of serious corruption and we are working with vigor to eradicate it.

"Jonathan Townsend has been added to the College of Policing Barred List."