A misconduct hearing hearing is due to take place at Cumbria Police headquarters in Penrith against a former Cumbria police officer accused of selling pornographic images and videos via social media.
Jonathan Hodgson, a former police constable, could be barred from policing for life pending the decision of the police conduct hearing.
Former PC Hodgson is alleged to have published X-rated images on a Twitter account he created in 2022 and then linked to an online payments platform to allow him to sell the images.
A hearing was originally due to take place in April but is now set to take place on the 4th of October.
Police bosses are said to have been alerted to his alleged behaviour by anonymous letters.
The former officer is alleged to have breached police standards of honesty and integrity and demonstrated discreditable conduct.
Due to former PC Hodgson no longer being a serving officer, the upholding of the misconduct allegations would result in him being placed on the police barred list and banned from serving in the police for life.
Cumbria Police said: "Taking that and the nature of our operation into consideration, alleged transgressions of accepted practice or unlawful activity, whether or not they've passed through the legal courts system, are bound to arise.
"It’s our duty to investigate each case, which may result in a public misconduct hearing."
According to the misconduct notice issued by Cumbria Police, the former officer is alleged to have breached police standards of honesty and integrity and demonstrated discreditable conduct.
Setting out the allegations, the Cumbria Police misconduct notice said:
"On dates unknown between 1 May 2022 and 22 June 2022, former PC Hodgson published sexually explicit images and videos, including images of an erect penis and of sexual intercourse taking place.”
"Former PC Hodgson set up a link to that account with CashApp, a platform that enables the account holder to receive online payments; this was with the intention of receiving remuneration in exchange for access to the pornographic content of that Twitter account.”
"Former PC Hodgson was subsequently identified as the publisher of said images and videos, due in part to two anonymous letters received by the Professional Standards Department.”
"Former PC Hodgson failed to disclose that Twitter account and its proposed associated remuneration to Cumbria Constabulary as a business interest."
Misconduct hearings are held to present the facts of the case and allow the person to give an explanation of their conduct and the circumstances surrounding the allegation. Witnesses may also be called to give evidence.
The hearing is now due to take place in October at Cumbria Police's headquarters in Penrith.
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