Former Northumbria Police officer sent inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old girl
A former Northumbria Police officer has been convicted of misconduct in public office.
Former Northumbria Police Detective Constable John Hamilton was found guilty of misconduct in public office at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, February 23.
It follows an investigation from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into Hamilton exchanging inappropriate messages with a vulnerable 14-year-old girl.
DC Hamilton, who worked within the Force’s Child and Adult Protection Safeguarding Department, had denied the charge during an earlier hearing at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in August 2024.
The IOPC launched their criminal investigation in November 2021 following a referral from Northumbria Police on October 1, 2021.
Prior to the referral, the IOPC have confirmed that Hamilton had been suspended by the Force and was arrested later that month.
During the IOPC’s investigation, it was found that DC Hamilton was assigned to an investigation involving a 14-year-old girl who had been a victim of a serious sexual assault.
On September 23, 2021, Northumbria Police received a referral from the victim’s school that raised concerns about the contact that Hamilton had with the girl.
She reported to school staff that Hamilton had been contacting her excessively via text messages and felt she was being inundated with messages from him.
It was found that he spoke to the girl at the school she attended on three occasions and had told staff to leave the room while he spoke to her one visit.
The girl reported that Hamilton had made little mention of the matters he had been assigned to investigate.
He made two further unannounced visits to the school and had asked the girl in a message whether he could take her out on a drive and return her home afterwards.
Investigating officers discovered 268 text messages had been exchanged between DC Hamilton and the girl on eight separate days between September 10 and 23, 2021 - with many of Hamilton’s messages sent late at night or in the early hours of the morning.
The IOPC also found that Hamilton had sent three late-night voice messages on one evening in the two-week period with his voice slurred throughout.
Evidence gathered also showed a lack of records in respect of the contact he had with the girl despite the fact DC Hamilton was duty bound to do so.
Speaking after Hamilton was found guilty in court, IOPC Director Emily Barry said: “DC Hamilton was an experienced police officer with over 24 years of service so he knew perfectly well the standards of professional behaviour expected of him, whether on or off duty.
“The seriousness of his actions were exacerbated by the fact he worked in a safeguarding team and was meant to be protecting a 14-year-old girl who was in an extremely vulnerable position as a victim of crime.
“Police officers are made fully aware from the outset of their responsibilities with how they deal with members of the public they meet through their professional duties.
“Hamilton completely abused his position of trust and has rightfully been held accountable for his actions.
“We are always incredibly grateful to the brave people who speak out about the inappropriate behaviour they have experienced or witnessed.
“We want people to feel empowered to speak up if they believe an officer has acted inappropriately.
“You are not alone; you will be listened to; and your experiences will be taken seriously.”
The IOPC has also decided that Hamilton should face a gross misconduct hearing in relation to his conduct and will liaise with Northumbria Police about disciplinary proceedings.
Detective Superintendent Donna Rose, from Northumbria Police's Professional Standards Department, commented: “Firstly, we want to recognise the bravery of the victim in this case in coming forward.
“When concerns were raised in relation to this individual he was suspended from duty.
“The case was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who conducted an investigation, during the course of which he retired.
“His actions were completely unacceptable and are in no way representative of the overwhelming majority of officers, staff and volunteers at Northumbria Police who come to work to make a positive difference to people’s lives.
"As a Force, we have made it very clear that when someone falls below the standards expected and which they made a commitment to uphold we will take appropriate action.
"We can confirm following his conviction misconduct proceedings are also being progressed."
Hamilton is set to be sentenced on April 10.