British Police Officer Sacked for Sharing Explicit Pics While on Duty

A British counter-terrorist officer was sacked from the force after having sent an explicit video of himself in uniform to someone he met on a dating app, the Daily Mail reports.

"PC Jonathan Finch, from the Isle of Wight, sent 771 WhatsApp messages to the person over two days, most of which were of a sexual nature," writes the DM. These included a video where he exposed himself while in police uniform.

PC Finch had worked in Child Sexual Exploitation and Counter Terrorism. He was dismissed last month for gross misconduct after a two-day hearing that he attended. "The panel heard that on 9th and 10th August 2018, whilst on duty, PC Finch exchanged a total of 771 messages via WhatsApp to someone who he had met on a dating app," reports the Isle of Wight publication Island Echo. "Most of the messages were of a sexual nature and included arranging to engage in sexual activity."

Amongst the messages was "a video of Finch exposing himself whilst in Hampshire Constabulary uniform. The incident took place inside a Police-owned building, but Hampshire Constabulary say they are unable to reveal which one."

He had been an officer for 14 years. "Joe is also known outside of his work as a Police officer as being the founder of IW Pride, although he is no longer connected with the event. He was also the Chair of Governors at both Medina College and Carisbrooke College for a period of 6 years," adds the Island Echo. He is also a member of the Isle of Wight Gay Men's Chorus.

MSN reports Hampshire Deputy Chief Constable Sara Glen said: "Maintaining the trust and confidence of our communities can only be achieved if our police officers uphold the highest standards of professional behavior at all times, but especially when on duty.

"Honesty and integrity is an integral part of being a police officer and there is no place within our force for those who choose to ignore the fundamental principles of policing."

But, MSN adds, "Hampshire Constabulary recently made headlines after five out of six police officers in a 'toxic' specialist team were sacked for their 'shameful' behavior after they were recorded using racist, sexist and homophobic language."