A CHESHIRE Police officer who signed up to an adult website to work as a paid escort, offering sexual services for money, was found to have committed gross misconduct.

Police Sergeant Jennifer Kent, 38, who had been a police officer for 17 years, had resigned from the force on January 18, in advance of the Accelerated Misconduct Meeting with the Chief Constable, which took place on Friday, February 3 at Cheshire Constabulary's headquarters in Winsford.

Cheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts oversaw the hearing, where he was asked to consider if the former police sergeant's conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

The misconduct hearing took place at Cheshire Constabulary HQ, Winsford.

The misconduct hearing took place at Cheshire Constabulary HQ, Winsford.

The allegation put before Ms Kent, who had worked as a police sergeant in Chester and had earned a Chief Constable's Commendation during her time there, was that she had been working as a paid escort.

Specifically, it was alleged that Ms Kent had been offering sexual services for money on the adult website AdultWork.com, where she had shared graphic photos of herself performing sex acts, having signed up to the website on February 11, 2021.

The website says it is "committed to providing a safe and anonymous environment where individuals can distribute and market their own adult products, services and content."

The website adds it "contains material of an adult nature relating to adult entertainment services", including "sexually explicit and pornographic material".

Ms Kent was not present at the hearing, and was represented by Dave Howard of the Cheshire Police Federation.

He said Ms Kent admitted the allegations and had resigned from the police force.

After a short adjournment, Ch Con Roberts concluded that, on the balance of probabilities, Ms Kent's conduct did amount to gross misconduct.

He said he had read two letters from Ms Kent and a letter of resignation, where she had accepted her behaviour fell below what was expected of a police officer.

He took her apology into account, and acknowledged her explanation she had been suffering from poor mental health at the time of the misconduct, as well as severe financial difficulties caused by the end of her marriage.

She had 17 years service with the police force.

Ch Con Roberts concluded Ms Kent would have been dismissed from the force without notice if she had not already resigned.

The outcome means Ms Kent has now been added to the College of Policing Barred List, meaning she is prevented from working in law enforcement in the future.

The accusations against Ms Kent, who became an officer in 2006 and joined Cheshire Constabulary in January 2016, came to light in 2021. 

Following the hearing, Deputy Chief Constable Chris Armitt said: “Ms Kent was in a position of trust, she swore an oath in which she promised to abide by the clear guidelines about the standards expected from her.

“However the way in which she had behaved off-duty was unacceptable and has clearly brought discredit on the police service.

“While she resigned before the misconduct hearing and was experiencing personal difficulties at the time, this does not excuse her behaviour.

“I hope the outcome of this hearing provides reassurance that when we receive a report of any ill-behaviour on or off-duty, a thorough investigation will be undertaken and we will do everything in our power to get resolution for this.”

  • Anyone who wishes to make a complaint, or a compliment, about the service they have received from Cheshire Constabulary can contact the Professional Standards Department by calling 101 or emailing professional.standards@cheshire.police.uk