Former Lancashire detective jailed following inappropriate contact with victims of crime
Last updated 11th May 2021
A former Lancashire police officer - who sent inappropriate messages to women who were victims of crime - has been jailed for 10 months after he admitted committing misconduct in public office.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) looked into the detective’s contact with five women after one of them made a complaint which was then referred to the IOPC by the force.
Ex-Detective Constable Jatinder Bunger, 38, appeared at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (10 May), having previously pleaded guilty to five charges, brought as a result of an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), a spokesperson has said. It is understood he resigned shortly before the earlier hearing.
The IOPC said the Ex-Detective Constable Jatinder Bunger was found to have personal and intimate images of two victims of crime on his personal mobile phone which he had access to and examined their devices in the course of his policing duties.
They added that: "Inappropriate photographs of a woman which had been taken without her knowledge or consent were also found on Mr Bunger’s phone.
"Two other women, who had reported being the victims of crime, provided evidence of Mr Bunger having sent them inappropriate sexual messages following the reports they had made. One of those women also said that he had made unnecessary visits to her home."
Following the sentencing, IOPC Regional Director Amanda Rowe said: “Abuse of police powers for sexual purpose cases are among the most serious incidents of police corruption that we investigate.
“Jatinder Bunger took advantage of women he knew to be in vulnerable positions as victims of crime and violated the privacy of others without their consent or knowledge.
“His actions were completely unacceptable and although he may have since left the force, today’s verdict ensures he is held fully accountable for his actions. This sentence reflects the severity of his offences and should reassure the public that where police corruption is identified it will be thoroughly investigated and dealt with robustly.”
A case has now also been opened with Lancashire Police with disciplinary proceedings expected to follow.