Former Cheshire PC Jordan Masterson, 28, has been banned from policing and jailed for just over three years after having sex with a vulnerable woman during a call-out, switching off his body-worn camera, and then destroying evidence to hide his offending. Masterson was working for Cheshire Police when he visited the woman's address on December 28, 2021, in response to ongoing domestic issues. Following the incident, she tried to alert the police, but he rejected assistance from his co-workers. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated and found that Masterson "showed no remorse for his actions" and warned the woman not to tell anyone about what happened. Masterson was arrested the same day, charged with misconduct in public office, and found guilty by a jury at Chester Crown Court.
Masterson was sentenced to three and a half years in jail and has been placed on the barred list, prohibiting him from working in policing in the future. IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates emphasized the seriousness of abuse of position for a sexual purpose in policing and the need to maintain the public's trust. Cheshire Constabulary Deputy Chief Constable Chris Armitt condemned Masterson's actions, noting that he took advantage of a vulnerable victim, turned off his body camera, and destroyed evidence to conceal his crime. Armitt assured the public that the vast majority of officers act professionally with integrity and work diligently to keep Cheshire safe. He urged the public to have confidence in the police's commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
Following the incident with the vulnerable woman, Masterson was suspended from duty and arrested within hours of the matter being reported. The investigation by IOPC and subsequent trial led to his conviction for misconduct in public office. The court ruled that Masterson would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had he not already resigned from his position. The swift investigation and conviction of Masterson demonstrate that such abusive actions by a police officer will not be tolerated, with Masterson now facing both the criminal sanction and being barred from policing for taking advantage of a vulnerable individual and damaging their trust in law enforcement.
Cheshire Constabulary responded promptly to the allegations involving Masterson, suspending him immediately and launching an investigation. The Deputy Chief Constable highlighted Masterson's abuse of a vulnerable victim, underlining the force's commitment to holding accountable any officer who violates standards of integrity and professionalism. While this case may raise concerns, the Deputy Chief Constable reassured the public that the majority of officers remain dedicated professionals who act with integrity. While Masterson's actions were reprehensible and resulted in significant consequences for both himself and the victim, the police force continues to strive for transparency, accountability, and public trust in maintaining safety and security.
The case of Jordan Masterson highlights the crucial role of maintaining trust and integrity in policing, particularly in dealing with vulnerable individuals. The severity of his actions led to legal consequences and his dismissal from the police force, emphasizing the zero-tolerance approach to abuse of position and sexual misconduct in law enforcement. Masterson's conviction and sentencing serve as a warning to other officers that such violations of trust and exploitation of vulnerable individuals will be met with swift and stringent action. The Cheshire Constabulary and IOPC's response to the incident underscores the commitment to upholding the highest standards of accountability, professionalism, and safeguarding the public's trust in law enforcement.
https://therealcrimediary.com/police-officer-disables-body-camera-to-engage-in-sexual-activity-with-vulnerable-woman-during-service-call/?feed_id=33903&_unique_id=6631946b24b69
Comments
Post a Comment