Sussex PCSO sacked for inappropriate relationships

The man formed inappropriate relationships with the man and 16-year-old boy

A police community support officer (PCSO) who formed inappropriate relationships with a man and a boy has been dismissed for gross misconduct.

Investigators said the Sussex PCSO used derogatory and discriminatory language on WhatsApp to the man and agreed to sell him an unauthorised drug.

The police watchdog also found he had inappropriate and sexual communication through the Grindr app with a boy, 16.

A panel found the unnamed PCSO's actions in 2020 were gross misconduct.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service in October 2021 but it did not bring charges.

'Highly offensive messages'

Mel Palmer, IOPC regional director, said: "Part of this PCSO's job was to build trust and confidence in the police amongst LGBTQ+ people in Sussex. It is disgraceful that whilst in such a trusted role he sent sexually explicit material to a vulnerable teenager and bought unauthorised medication for another man.

"He also sent highly offensive derogatory messages to the man about parts of the LGBTQ+ community, conduct that was wholly unprofessional."

The IOPC said the PCSO met the man during community liaison duties at a café.

During his contact with the teenager, the PCSO knew the boy was vulnerable because of his age and previous contact with police as a missing person, the IOPC said.

The PCSO also sent the boy a number of sexually-explicit messages including videos, the IOPC added.

Investigators interviewed him, examined his phone and obtained statements from witnesses including the man and teenager.

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