Firearms cop fired for having sex in the open with vulnerable woman

An Avon & Somerset Police firearms officer who had sex in public with a vulnerable woman he met online has been sacked. PC Ross Knox, based in South Gloucestershire, sexually exploited the woman despite being told she suffered from mental health problems including bipolar and borderline personality disorder and was the victim of both abuse in childhood as well as domestic violence.

The married father had outdoor sex with the woman at least four times outside of work between April 2022 and January 2023 and failed to protect her when she said she wanted high-risk sex with other men she didn’t know . Instead, he continued to pursue her for sex and sent her photos of himself in uniform with his gun to encourage her to get to know him, as well as degrading messages, a police hearing was told.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew found that serious misconduct was proven and dismissed the officer without notice on Friday 17 May. PC Knox, who has been in the force for 23 years, including the last 10 as a firearms officer, will now be placed on a banned list to prevent him serving in the police or other law enforcement agencies again .

Read more:

The woman said in her victim impact statement, which she asked to be read at the hearing, that her mental health suffered further damage as a result of his actions. She said that when she met PC Knox online, she “felt very sick and sought unhealthy and abusive sexual encounters as a form of self-harm”.

Try BristolLive Premium FREE with no ads and new features

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “PC Knox used and objectified me and because I was unwell I allowed him to do that.” She said it made her feel guilty, worthless and ashamed.

The woman told a mental health professional about it in September 2022, who reported her to the police. PC Knox saw the report on the police system and contacted the woman, but only with concerns about him and whether she involved him.

This made her feel “terrified” that he might seek revenge, she said. The woman said: “I have absolutely no faith or trust in the police. I would never call the police if I was in trouble.

“Every time I hear police sirens, I’m worried. I feel like I’m in danger. The police really let me down.

“It opened my eyes to what male officers in the police force are like. He is corrupt and I think the entire force is corrupt.

“How many male officers like him are out there? How can women and girls trust male officers in their most vulnerable moments?”

Advocate Louise Ravenscroft, representing the police, said: “She has suffered significant emotional harm as a result of PC Knox’s behaviour. The victim states, “I hold the police accountable for his behavior, I don’t trust them,” and she would not call the police if she needed assistance. That undermines the very core of policing.”

She said PC Knox, who did not attend the hearing and was not represented, admitted the allegations in a misconduct interview. Ms Ravenscroft said that when the woman asked for sex with him in uniform, he replied: “I have to be very careful, I could lose my job and be sent to prison.”

She said the officer had previously been warned about inappropriate relationships with vulnerable women in 2019. Ms Ravenscroft said: “PC Knox’s conduct can only amount to the sexual exploitation of women.”

Announcing his decision, Chief Constable Crew said: “PC Knox’s conduct, now in the public domain, is likely to cause significant damage to public confidence in Avon & Somerset Police and the police service, undermining the efforts of so many officers and staff. , especially male officers and personnel, who are dedicated to serving and protecting the public and do so in a manner that inspires confidence. The confidence of women and girls is likely to be particularly affected.

“PC Knox’s conduct is so serious and so damaging to public confidence in the police service that nothing more than dismissal without notice will suffice.” Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall later said: “This officer’s actions were selfish, deliberate and disgraceful, exacerbated by the fact that he knew the woman was vulnerable and failed to protect her.

“He knew he was doing wrong and carried on regardless. This reckless abuse of his position is an absolute betrayal of the values ​​and standards of behavior expected of him. The public should be reassured that we are relentless in pursuing those who do not belong in the police force and will ensure they are unable to serve again.”