A Merseyside Police officer has been dismissed after he admitted paying a 17-year-old for sex.
Ex-detective John Rigby was sacked and added to the College of Policing Barred List following a misconduct hearing in December.
Rigby, 37, faced multiple misconduct charges including paying a 16-17-year-old male for sexual services on multiple occasions, and continuing to do so after becoming aware of his age.
Chief Constable Rob Carden said: “Children, particularly those who turn to sex work, are among the most vulnerable in society.
“To pay for sexual services from a child is wholly inconsistent with the values and behaviours that should be demonstrated by a police officer in the 21st century.”
Rigby’s second charge is for accessing police force systems in relation to other males he was involved with, without authorisation.
He pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court in early November to criminal charges relating to the same offences, and is currently in prison on remand awaiting sentence on January 16.
The misconduct hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Carden on December 17, resulted in the immediate dismissal of the detective without notice.
Chief Constable Carden said: “The aggravating factor is that the officer’s actions were deliberate. It is inconceivable that a person who has been imprisoned for sexual offences can still serve as a police officer.”
Featured image: Minnie Paynter
