A police officer from Dagenham has been convicted after having an inappropriate relationship with a witness.
PC Georgie Bean, 31, of Fitzstephen Road, Dagenham was found guilty of misconduct in public office following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Bean, who was based in Basildon for Essex Police, met the female after she was called in as a witness to an assault allegation he was investigating in October 2020.
The pair engaged in "intimate activity" with her just a month later, Essex Police said.
Bean admitted his behaviour to a supervisor and was referred to the force's Professional Standards Department.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation after the case was referred to them.
Bean was later charged with misconduct in a public office which he denied. But he was convicted on February 29.
He was sentenced to 50 hours of unpaid work and has been ordered to pay £1,200 in costs.
Dept Ch Con Andy Prophet said: “Georgie Bean’s actions were completely unacceptable.
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“A police officer’s role is to protect the public. Bean betrayed the trust communities give us by abusing his position for personal benefit."
He said Bean's actions do not represent the values of Essex Police and said he was disappointed at the time taken to convict him.
“This conviction highlights he lacked the judgement, values, integrity and decency required to be a police officer," Dept Ch Con Prophet added.
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