By Lucy Caulkett-
Merseyside Police have been asked by The Eye Of Media.Com to explain why an officer has been barred from policing after contacting sex workers while on and off duty over a two year period.
A Freedom Of Information Request has been sent to the force to provide a response after two attempts to obtain a response in this regard was met with deaf ears.
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Police officers found guilty of misconduct are only granted anonymity in certain circumstances; where there is an evidential risk of serious harm to their safety. Naming officers found guilty of misconduct is the norm for the purposes of transparency and full accountability.
Anonymous rulings can be made on discretionary grounds, where an officer may face significant threats to their safety or that of their family, especially if they worked in dangerous roles like armed policing, undercover operations, or if they are targeted by organized crime gangs.
The overarching goal is balancing public interest in transparency with the welfare of individuals (officers and witnesses) and ensuring fair, effective investigations, as outlined in Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 and related guidance.
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In the matter in question, the police officers was contacting sex workers on and off duty, and resigned from the force before the finding of the investigation.
Merseyside Police referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Following the investigation, directed by our Anti-Corruption Unit and conducted by Merseyside Police’s Anti-Corruption Unit, gross misconduct was found proven against the former police constable.
Contacting sex workers is prohibited by the police force and brings the profession to disrepute.
A disciplinary panel chaired by Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss,(pictured) ruled on Friday 19 December that the police constable would have been dismissed had he not already resigned.
It was concluded that the officer cannot be named due to an anonymity ruling being granted, and that be added to the barred list preventing them from working for the police in future after they were found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy; discreditable conduct; honesty and integrity; and orders and instructions.
However, Merseyside police appear to be dragging its feet on the question of why this particular officer was granted anonymity. Under normal circumstances, there should be no problem explaining hy a force is departing from the standard practise
The hearing heard that the former officer contacted sex workers on over 80 occasions, including 30 times while on duty, between December 2020 and August 2022.
The investigation uncovered evidence of the officer making visits to areas frequented by sex workers and cash withdrawals correlating with these visits. On one occasion, the officer was seen wearing part of their police uniform while in the area.
As part of the investigation, analysis of the officer’s mobile billing was undertaken which showed frequent ongoing contact with sex workers both on and off duty. At no stage in the investigation was any apparent policing purpose identified for the contact had with the sex workers.
Furthermore, a review of the former officer’s internet search history showed frequent access to adult web sites on which a number of sex workers advertise services.
The officer was arrested by Merseyside Police on 4 August 2022 and provided no comment responses during criminal interviews. They resigned from the force in July 2023.
Data from the College of Policing and the Home Office reveal that a total of 27 officers were dismissed and placed on the barred list. Of these, 10 were dismissed while still serving, and 17 were former officers who would have been dismissed had they not already resigned.
Between 2023 and 2024, 22 officers were sacked and barred, which at the time was the highest figure for the force since at least 2018–19.
PC Adam Hoyle was found guilty of misconduct in public office for pursuing sexual relationships with seven women he met through his duties. In one instance, he visited a woman for sex while he was supposed to be searching for a high-risk missing person.
Firearms Sergeant Steven Ainsworth was sacked in July 2025 after spending hours of his shifts visiting a lover at her home on 15 separate occasions.
As of April 2025, PC Carl Edwards was suspended and appearing in court for alleged improper contact with sex workers while on duty.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said:
“Police officers hold an incredibly privileged position in society and it is crucial their behaviour both on and off duty does not discredit the police service.
“It is made clear to officers from the outset of their service that it is unacceptable to have or seek inappropriate and unprofessional contact like this. The officer’s actions are exacerbated by the fact the contact was so extensive. Cases such as these have the real potential to impact on public confidence in the police.
“This decision sends a clear message that this behaviour and wilful breach of standards has no place in policing and the officer will now be barred from working for the police in future.”
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