An Isle of Wight Police Officer has been sacked after sending an explicit video of himself in uniform, whilst on duty, to someone he met through a dating app.
PC Jonathan Finch – better known as Joe Finch – has been dismissed from the force following a 2-day misconduct panel hearing last month.
The panel heard that on 9th and 10th August 2018, whilst on duty, PC Finch exchanged a total of 771 messages via WhatsApp to someone who he had met on a dating app. Most of the messages were of a sexual nature and included arranging to engage in sexual activity.
Shockingly, the messages also included a video of Finch exposing himself whilst in Hampshire Constabulary uniform. The incident took place inside a Police-owned building, but Hampshire Constabulary say they are unable to reveal which one.
The misconduct panel concluded that the behaviour was in breach of Hampshire Constabulary’s Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to Duties and Responsibilities and Discreditable Conduct, amounting to gross misconduct.
Furthermore, on 10th August 2018, PC Finch had been given permission to leave work early and before he was due to complete an hour of pre-authorised overtime. However, the next day he dishonestly claimed pay for work including the hour of overtime which he had not worked.
The panel also found that this behaviour breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to Honesty and Integrity, Duties and Responsibilities and Discreditable Conduct, amounting to gross misconduct.
PC Finch, who was the Child Sexual Exploitation lead and the Counter Terrorism lead on the Island, was well known within schools and other organisations. He has now been dismissed from the force without notice. However, Joe is yet to update his LinkedIn profile which states he still works for Hampshire Constabulary after more than 14 years’ service having joined the force back in 2006.
Joe is also known outside of his work as a Police officer as being the founder of IW Pride, although he is no longer connected with the event. He was also the Chair of Governors at both Medina College and Carisbrooke College for a period of 6 years.
Deputy Chief Constable Sara Glen of Hampshire Constabulary has told Island Echo:
“Maintaining the trust and confidence of our communities can only be achieved if our police officers uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour at all times, but especially when on duty. Honesty and integrity is an integral part of being a police officer and there is no place within our force for those who choose to ignore the fundamental principles of policing.”
Why is this even news? Unless we are not being told the full picture, who cares he sent these pics to another adult? As long as he was a good copper I don’t see the problem. Reads like it’s a stitch-up.
Bloody disgusting, whilst on duty, at least he got what he deserves. This is the kind of police officers we don’t want serving the public. Banged to rights!
Imagine being sacked for sending a nude? Like who cares. We have a corrupt government and this is what the police are worried about?
Exposing himself whilst wearing uniform – sadly that is enough these days -claiming an hour that he didn’t work could easily have been an oversight and paid back.
someone was out to get him – that much is fairly obvious.
Fourteen years down the pan how can people risk so much for so little.
Who says it was little?
These cretins are supposed to be setting an example. Just because the low life in society find such actions ‘funny’ or harmless, because they have a lower moral status, it doesn’t make it right.
Imagine if anyone else sent such, they would be on the s e x offenders list.
These idiots need to grow up and learn to respect woman and the job they are in.
“Exchanged a total of 771 messages” over two days “whilst on duty”, including a video with his old fella out! A disgrace to the uniform. Good riddance.
You can’t imagine George Dixon spending his day trying to line up a bit of spare.
Id be more worried about the middle age ones who are married in the force ! Slipping off to police the music festivals nudge nudge wink wink
Counter Terrorism lead !!
If we were attacked, he may wave is own weapon in their face ?
For what purpose is Island echo reporting the story ?, not considering impact on so many he helped and supported and damage to them , the guy was a good copper done nothing different to many a person, definitely smell a stitch up here.
Misconduct whilst serving in a public office is in the public interest. We are in no doubt that this story needed to be reported and it is done so based on an official report from a misconduct hearing.
770 messages over 2 days while on duty. How much police work did he manage to fit in? Regardless of the content, it doesn’t sound as though I’m getting value for money from my police precept.
Don’t imagine for one moment that social media is a place of privacy, I personally have never subscribed to it and never will.
No-one can live a private life anymore because the thought police are listening to your everyday conversations and even your shopping habits.
Definitely would love to know how the Echo get hold of all these stories. I smell an inside rat.
The incident was subject to a misconduct hearing, the outcome of which is publically available. Sorry to disappoint Suzie!
I don’t care what he sent. But I do care about 771 Messages while on duty when I’m paying for him to be a policeman.
Do you not think people use computers in the workplace for personal use? Come on be real…
So what. I’m sure half of you would flirt and send your partner messages and the odd naughty pic while at work.
I even suspect most of you spend more time gossiping, drinking tea or smoking while at work then the few seconds it takes to text.
If the guy was good at his job, what’s the problem.
I suspect he does what you mentioned as well
He was a good police officer and gave many years of good service but something went wrong he made mistakes iam not justifying he’s actions but I think it’s such a dreadful shame he had so much more to give and has now lost so much……what a waste……silly boy.