A former detective has been dismissed after sending sexual messages to a woman in a vulnerable position, the police watchdog has found.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found that Detective Constable Mark Connor, 48, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had he not already resigned, in a report published on July 18 this year.

Connor met the woman in 2017 as she helped police enquiries about a matter in relation to her neighbour.

He was found to have had several exchanges of a personal nature with her using his police email and phone, before visiting her in her house.

The former DC sent messages of a sexual nature to the woman in 2017 and 2020, the IOPC found, which cited evidence that Connor knew she was in a vulnerable position.

Charmaine Arbouin, IOPC regional director, said: "DC Connor was an experienced police officer who chose to pursue an inappropriate relationship with a woman he met during his duties.   

“His actions, including sending sexually explicit messages from his work phone, are not fitting of a police officer."

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Connor was found to have pursued an inappropriate sexual or emotional relationship with the woman in a hearing organised by the Metropolitan Police and chaired by a disciplinary panel.

"His actions breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct, and orders and instructions," the IOPC added.

The former DC has been placed on a police barred list.

He had been investigated by the IOPC after the Met Police referred a complaint from the woman who raised several allegations.

During the investigation, the IOPC interviewed the woman and DC Connor, searched his property and seized electronic devices.

Those were forensically examined.

In March 2023, the IOPC finished its investigation and decided DC Connor should face a gross misconduct hearing for potential breaches of the standards of professional behaviour.

Ms Arbouin added: "Our investigation began after the Met Police referred a complaint from the woman, raising several allegations about the officer.

"This is a good example of the police disciplinary process and the police complaints system working together to effectively root out poor officer behaviour. "