Bedfordshire Police sex offender PC guilty of gross misconduct

A police officer who admitted committing crimes involving the sexual exploitation of a child has been found guilty of serious misconduct.

Former PC Elliot Wright, of Bedfordshire Police, admitted two charges of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, taking a child without lawful custody and committing an act to pervert the course of justice.

Wright, 29, from Henlow, Bedfordshire, had already been dismissed from the force but a panel ruled he would have been dismissed anyway for serious misconduct.

He will be sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on October 16.

The offenses took place while Wright was working for the roads policing unit.

A police hearing Friday felt that his conduct amounted to gross negligence.

The Chief Commissioner emphasized in his findings that Wright was aware that the victim was vulnerable and had attempted to destroy evidence of his misconduct.

The report praised officers from Bedfordshire for intervening before Wright could “potentially commit further serious offences”.

The officer was found to have violated standards of professional conduct relating to honesty and integrity, authority, respect and civility, and disgraceful conduct.

Wright is prohibited from returning to law enforcement or similar professions.

Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst said: ‘There is no room for those who break the law or abuse their position in any way.

“Police officers are trained to identify vulnerability so they can protect people from harm.

“Wright used that training and his position as a police officer to abuse some of the most vulnerable young girls for his own means.

“The actions of this officer have significantly damaged public trust and have made the job even more difficult for those who continue to do their utmost to serve the public.”