Policeman jailed for indecent image and '˜inappropriate relationship'

A Warwickshire Police officer was jailed after admitting to making an indecent image of a child and to having an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable woman while on duty.
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Balraj Paul, 30 was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to both offences of making an indecent image of a child, and of misconduct in a public office.

The former patrol officer was suspended when allegations against him were made, and his position within Warwickshire Police will now be subject to a misconduct hearing before Chief Constable Martin Jelley on 10 June.

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Paul, who lives in Burbage, Hinckley, was handed the sentence in Birmingham Crown Court on June 2.

He was arrested in October 2015 after it was alleged he had formed an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable female, and during an investigation it emerged he had also made the indecent image.

Gary Watson, head of professional standards for the force, said: “Balraj Paul has committed a serious criminal offence for which he has now been sentenced to a significant custodial sentence.

“His behaviour was appalling and represented a serious breach of the trust placed in him by a vulnerable female and the wider community of Warwickshire.

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“As soon as his behaviour was suspected he was the subject of robust and proactive police action.

“This type of behaviour is very rare and I would like to reassure the community that we will take decisive action in such cases, and I would encourage anyone who has concerns about conduct of a similar nature to contact the professional standards department.”