A former police officer from West London has been jailed after pleading guilty to an online child sex offence. Barry Geering, from Ealing, admitted trying to have sexual communication with a person under 16 over Snapchat following his arrest in April 2024.
The 44-year-old was snared as part of an operation by the Online Investigations Team at the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU), a force working with a national network to tackle sexual abuse and exploitation. The shamed ex-constable was immediately suspended from his role within the Wiltshire Police, later resigning in July.
He was sentenced to 28 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months during an appearance at Bristol Magistrates’ Court yesterday (June 23). The judge also told Geering he must complete 30 days of rehabilitation and 80 hours of unpaid work, before handing him a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
He will now be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.
Wiltshire Police’s Professional Standards Department carried out a separate investigation into potential breaches of the standards of professional behaviour. The findings will be heard at an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing next month.
Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “I, like my colleagues, am appalled by the actions of this former officer. I also recognise that this may impact upon trust and confidence our communities have in Wiltshire Police.
“The abhorrent crime, for which he has been sentenced, is against everything that we in policing represent. Our core priority is to protect the most vulnerable in society, and to keep everyone safe. This is the priority of Wiltshire Police.”
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