MARK TURNER SHAMES PRESTON POLICE WITH SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS

A former officer of the Greater Manchester Police, Mark Turner, has faced severe disciplinary action and legal consequences following a series of misconduct allegations that surfaced earlier this year. Turner, aged 38 and based in Preston, was convicted at Preston Crown Court for serious breaches of police conduct, which included unauthorized access to police computer systems and inappropriate interactions with women who were victims of crimes.

Investigations into Turner's behavior were initiated after concerns were raised about his conduct. It was revealed that he had engaged in sending sexual messages and had developed sexual relationships with two women he encountered during his duties as a police officer. These women were victims of various crimes, and Turner’s interactions with them crossed professional boundaries, raising questions about his integrity and respect for victims.

Further details of his misconduct showed that Turner had accessed police computer systems to retrieve information unrelated to any official investigation or policing purpose. The jury concluded that there was no legitimate reason for his actions, which were deemed to be driven by personal motives rather than professional necessity. As a result, Turner was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay an additional £2,000 in legal costs.

In a move that underscored the gravity of his misconduct, Turner resigned from the police force shortly before disciplinary proceedings could lead to his dismissal. However, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) clarified that had he not resigned, he would have been permanently removed from the force, a process known as being 'struck off.'

Turner’s breaches of conduct standards covered a range of serious issues, including discreditable conduct, breaches of honesty and integrity, violations of confidentiality, and failure to follow instructions. The IOPC’s investigation also examined his interactions with two additional women. In one case, Turner used his personal mobile phone to communicate with a victim, signing messages with an 'x,' although no inappropriate language was found. In another instance, while on duty, he exchanged messages with a woman discussing plans to meet, but no meeting took place. These messages, while not sexual, were considered inappropriate because they lacked a policing purpose and breached professional boundaries.

Following a misconduct hearing, Turner’s actions were classified as gross misconduct, leading to his barring from policing. Catherine Bates, the regional director of the IOPC, condemned his behavior, emphasizing that abuse of authority for sexual purposes constitutes serious corruption and has no place in law enforcement. She described his conduct as an appalling breach of trust, noting that his pattern of behavior began with seemingly innocent contact but escalated into exploitation for personal sexual gain. This pattern ultimately resulted in his criminal conviction and his removal from the police force, highlighting the importance of maintaining integrity and trust within policing institutions.