Former Avon & Somerset officer barred from policing at misconduct hearing
DC Scott Burton, who has since left his job, has admitted having what's been called "sexual communication" with a child under 16 back in March
Last updated 5th Dec 2022
A former detective with Avon and Somerset Police has been barred for working in the police and other law enforcement agencies at a misconduct hearing.
DC Scott Burton, who has since left his job, has admitted having what's been called "sexual communication" with a child under 16 back in March - and has now been placed on a barred list with the force.
This means he's prevented from working in policing and other law enforcement agencies again.
The offences happened off-duty, with DC Scott Burton reported to have sent a 'number of messages' to the child - of which including inappropriate and sexualised comments.
The offences were disclosed to Avon and Somerset Police by a third party in June 2021 and an investigation immediately began - with a court appearance happening earlier this year.
In March 2022, DC Burton was charged with an offence of sexual communication with a child under the age of 16, and he appeared in court.
Following further direction from the Crown Prosecution Service, DC Burton received a police caution for this offence in September and is now required to be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for two years.
An accelerated misconduct hearing, held in front of Chief Constable Sarah Crew, took place today (Monday 5 December).
The Chief concluded the officer would have been dismissed if he hadn’t already resigned.
During her conclusion, the Chief Constable said: “Any criminal offence is serious when the perpetrator is a police officer, however a sexual offence must be of the utmost gravity.
“Such offending involves a fundamental breach of the public’s trust in police officers, and it brings the profession of policing into disrepute, irrespective of whether it is perpetrated on duty or off duty.
She added: "Psychological harm and emotional distress” had been caused to the victim and their family, as a result of this offending, and a serving officer committing a sexual offence against a child would “undermine public confidence” in the police service.
Head of Professional Standards, Supt Jane Wigmore, spoke after the hearing, and said: “During the court proceedings, this former officer admitted sending inappropriate and sexualised messages to a child. The contact with this child was not connected with his policing role.
“Abhorrent and abusive behaviour such as this is completely incompatible with a role in the police service.
“His actions have had a significant and lasting impact on the victim and their family, and we will ensure they have any support they may need.
“His actions have also impacted on his colleagues, who were unaware of his offending until an investigation began.
“Our work will continue to root out officers and staff who fail to comply with the high standards expected of them, and who through their attitudes, behaviours and actions, let down their colleagues and the public they took an oath to serve and protect.”