A Merseyside police detective who paid a 17-year-old boy for sex has been dismissed without notice after a misconduct hearing found his actions brought policing into disrepute. Detective Constable John Rigby, 37, pleaded guilty to criminal charges and is currently on remand in prison awaiting sentencing.
The misconduct panel, chaired by Chief Constable Rob Carden, ruled that Rigby's behaviour was gross misconduct. Carden stated that paying for sexual services from a child is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of a police officer in the 21st century, and that the impact of such behaviour on policing in the UK cannot be overestimated.
Rigby pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates' Court in November to a charge of paying for sexual services of a male child aged 16 or 17, knowing the victim was 17. He also admitted unauthorised access to the force's computer system on three occasions in March and April to obtain information on two males, for no policing purpose.
Rigby, from St Helens, is due to be sentenced by a crown court judge on 16 January. His name has been added to the College of Policing barred list, prohibiting him from working in policing again. Detective Chief Superintendent Sarbjit Kaur, head of the force's professional standards department, said Rigby's salary was stopped upon his remand and stressed that the force will not allow individuals to damage the good name built by the majority of officers.
