Police officer is accused of inciting the sexual exploitation of a child | Local News | News | Hitchin Nub News

A misconduct hearing has heard that a Bedfordshire police officer who pleaded guilty to a number of offenses relating to the sexual exploitation of a child would have been dismissed if he had not already been dismissed after his vetting was withdrawn.

Elliot Wright, 29, is currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to two counts of inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, arranging the sexual exploitation of a child, child abduction, paying for the sexual services of a girl aged 16 or 17, causing or inciting a child to participate in prostitution or pornography and perverting the course of justice.

A new allegation of misconduct in public office, which he denied, has been ordered by the court to be included in his file.

The offenses took place while he was working as an officer for Bedfordshire Police in the joint Roads Policing Unit.

An expedited misconduct hearing on Friday (September 27) found that Wright had breached the standards of professional conduct of honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and disgraceful conduct and that this amounted to serious misconduct.

The Chief Commissioner ruled that he would have been dismissed if his employment had not already been terminated following the lifting of his vetting.

Wright has also been placed on the College of Policing’s Barred List, which bans him from ever returning to law enforcement or similar professions.

He will be sentenced for the offenses in October.

Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst said: “I have an absolute standard when it comes to the expectations of my officers, and 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.

“This officer’s actions have significantly damaged public trust and have made the jobs of those who continue to do their utmost to serve the public even more difficult.

“There is categorically no place in this police force, or in any police force, for someone who behaves in this way.”