A WARWICKSHIRE Police officer has been jailed for a child pornography offence, and for having an ‘inappropriate’ relationship with a vulnerable woman.
Balraj Paul was jailed for two years and nine months after pleading guilty to making an indecent image of a child and misconduct in public office at Birmingham Crown Court.
The 30 year-old from Hinckley was arrested in October last year after the inappropriate relationship was alleged.
The investigation led officers to arrest him on suspicion of making an indecent image of a child, and he was suspended from his role as a patrol officer in Bedworth.
He was charged with both offences in March.
Det Supt Gary Watson, head of professional standards for Warwickshire and West Mercia Police, said Paul had committed a serious criminal offence.
He said: “His behaviour was appalling and represented a serious breach of the trust placed in him by a vulnerable female and the wider community of Warwickshire.
“As soon as his behaviour was suspected he was the subject of robust and proactive police action.
“This type of behaviour is very rare and I would like to reassure the community that we will take decisive action in such cases, and I would encourage anyone who has concerns about conduct of a similar nature to contact the Professional Standards Department.”
Paul’s role with the police will now be subject to a Special Case Misconduct Hearing before Chief Constable Martin Jelley.
