Gross misconduct hearing outcome
In accordance with the Police Conduct Regulations we are required to publish the following information –
An Accelerated Gross Misconduct disciplinary hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet, was held virtually by Northamptonshire Police on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
The subject officer was granted anonymity in advance of the hearing.
It was alleged that the officer concerned:
- exchanged messages on the June 28, 2024 and May 16, 2025 with a number associated with a Sex worker and sought to use their services. This is incompatible with being a police officer and contrary to the National Police Chief Counsel guidance.
It was alleged that the officer concerned breached the standards of professional behaviour relating to:
- Discreditable conduct.
The subject officer had resigned from Northamptonshire Police prior to the hearing being held, and did not attend the hearing.
The Chief Constable considered the available evidence and found the matter proved as Gross Misconduct determining that had the subject officer still been a serving Police Officer, they would have been dismissed without notice.
The Chief Constable noted “The officer has deliberately enquired into the availability of sex work, placing himself at risk of committing a criminal offence had he taken further steps to arrange a meeting. He communicated with two separate numbers on two separate days. This conduct relates to obviously vulnerable individuals, which the officer must have been aware of due to the training he received as well as his own knowledge of the world.”
“The officers behaviour risked supporting the commercial exploitation of vulnerable individuals. He did not know who he was engaging with, or what their situation was. By making enquiries, he provides the custom which supports the practices taking place, whether or not he ended up paying for it.”
“I find that the appropriate outcome in this case would have been dismissal if the officer was still serving. This was serious misconduct which would have clear impact on the public trust and confidence in the police.”