By Lucy Caulkett-
Former Cheshire Constabulary officer, Jordan Masterson(pictured) who was sentenced to three years and six months in jail for misconduct in public office brought the force to disrepute.
Masterson, aged 28, (pictured)was found guilty following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which revealed he had engaged in sexual activity with a vulnerable woman while on duty.
Following his imprisonment, residents of Cheshire told The Eye Of Media.Com that a law should be made preventing male officers from attending to female victims on their own.
Sharon Farmlane, 32, from Chester said: ”after hearing that story I think a law must be made preventing male officers from attending to female victims on their own. Males should always be accompanied by a female officer when visiting a female victim of crime, this can’t be very difficult to rule to establish surely.
‘This is not the first time a male police officer has abused his position to pursue his own sexual gratification.
‘There have been several instances of this in the past , and it is high time some action is taken to prevent this type of abuse.
”Either the Home Office or The IOPC should impose rule that prevents this type of abuse, it is just not right.
”We already know there are a number of dodgy people in the police force, but many of them are good people, and even the ones with weaknesses need to be protected from themselves by erecting strong and safe regulations that prevent them from facing the kind of temptation that kind find them exploiting vulnerable people’
Another woman Marcia Perkins, told this publication: ”it is so disgraceful to hear how many male police officers have been abusing their position in the past few years.
‘We have heard of domestic abuse cases committed by male officers against their partners, sexual assaults against their colleagues, and even officers sexually exploiting victims of crime.
‘This is just too bad now, especially after that monster cop who killed a woman during lockdown, one just wonders how many more creeps and monsters are still in the force.
‘I think the idea of lie detectors should be considered during recruitment, so applicants can be asked whether they have a sex problem or if they have ever been a domestic abuser. Your media outlet should try and push for a tighter system of recruiting in the police force in Britain because many of us in the public don’t have a voice to be heard.
‘Those in charge of policing need to do more to win public trust, what on earth is happening to the credibility of our police force in Britain?
The issue of a rule prohibiting male officers from only visiting female victims when accompanied with a female cop is to be explored the the College of Police and the various Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office in the UK in a bid to effect a rule change in this area.
The misconduct occurred on December 28, 2021, when Masterson was deployed to address ongoing domestic issues involving the woman. Shockingly, he took advantage of his position, deactivating his body-worn video camera before engaging in sexual activity with her.
Subsequent investigation revealed Masterson’s attempt to cover up his actions by instructing the woman not to disclose the incident to anyone.
The gravity of Masterson’s misconduct prompted an accelerated misconduct hearing by the Cheshire Constabulary, where gross misconduct was found proven. Had Masterson not resigned from his position, he would have faced dismissal.
Additionally, Masterson has been placed on the policing barred list, effectively prohibiting him from working in law enforcement ever again.
The victim who described the experience as traumatic said :”I have zero trust in the police and figures of authority,” she added.
Catherine Bates, Regional Director of the IOPC, emphasized the severity of Masterson’s actions, stating, “Abuse of position for a sexual purpose is serious corruption and has absolutely no place in policing.”
Bates highlighted the swift and thorough investigation that led to Masterson’s sanction, emphasizing the importance of holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions.
While this case represents a grave breach of trust and authority, it also sheds light on broader issues within law enforcement. Instances of police misconduct, particularly those involving sexual exploitation, are not isolated incidents.
According to statistical data, incidents of misconduct in public office, including those involving sexual exploitation, are regrettably not uncommon.